From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 31: Undaunted by the political uncertainty dogging the Jagadish Shettar-led BJP Government in Karnataka, as many as eight new mega residential and industrial townishop clusters will come up around Bangalore at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Of the total cost of Rs 2100 crore required for the eight township projects, the ADB is expected to provide Rs 1400 crore funding.

The new residential and industrial township clusters are planned primarily to decongest the city. The proposed townships will be linked by rail and road and are expected to be completed in a few years although the preliminary discussions with the ADB are just underway.

The eight clusters are panned in the following areas: Ramanagaram-Channapatna, Kanakapura-Nelamangala, Dobbspet-Peenya, Doddaballapur, Anekal-Jigani-Attibele, Devanahalli-Vijayapura, Magadi and Hoskote-Krishnarajapuram.

Briefing reporters after the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar , which took up over 50 subjects Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar said the clusters will include the industrial areas presently in their vicinity.

The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure and Finance Corporation and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority have conducted a study on the clusters based on the population (as per 2011 census) in the outlying areas of Bangalore.

While the present population of the city is 1.01 crore, it is expected touch around 1.80 crore in 2030 and consequently will increase demand for housing.

The cabinet also approved upgradation of the existing highway between Hubli and Dharwad to a six-lane expressway at a cost of Rs 82 crore and the project is scheduled to be completed by January 2015.

It will be taken up public-private-partnership (PPP) model as part of the Bus Rapid Transit
System between the two cities, he said.

The minister said the cabinet approved a higher minimum support price (MSP) for Paddy and Tur Dal (Red Gram) and the payment of the additional incentive will be effective for another two months, after which the subject will be reviewed.

The Centre has fixed a MSP of Rs 1250 and Rs 1280 a quintal for two varieties of rice and the State Government will pay an incentive of Rs 250 per quintal.

For tur dal, the Centre has fixed a MSP of Rs 3850 per quintal and the State Government will provide an additional Rs 650 per quintal thus totalling up to Rs 4500.

The cabinet also approved changes in the written examination for the Gazetted Probationers (leading to KAS) conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

The KPSC examinations will be on the same lines as that conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), wherein in the preliminary examinations wrong answers will attract minus marks.

The KAS examination comprises preliminary and final written examinations followed by an interview and there will be no change in the pattern and evaluation of the final examination.

Suresh Kumar a 200 mw solar power plant will come up at Challakere in Chitradurga district and Messrs Sagater Ventures Limited of Taiwan will implement this major project.

The State Government will provide nearly 1000 acres of barren land for the company for a lease of around Rs 7000 per acre per year, the minister said

A Taiwanese delegation had recently visited Bangalore and presented the proposal to the State Government.