From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, May 14: Karnataka has urged the Veterinary Council of India’s (VCI) to extend its recognition to Veterinary Colleges of Hassan, Shimoga and Bidar for the year 2014-15.
The VCI had given the recognition to three colleges last year for a period of one year.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, who also holds the Animal Husbandry portfolio, said he would go to New Delhi and hold discussions with officials of the VCI to extend its recognition to three colleges for the year 2014-15 also.
A sum of Rs 272 crore had been released to three colleges to develop infrastructure, including library, laboratory veterinary hospital and hostel facilities.
The State Government set up these colleges in 2007 to address the issue of shortage of veterinary surgeons in the State.
To tackle shortage of staff, he said a total of 51 employees of various departments have been posted to three colleges on deputation.
About 180 new vacancies to be filled and the process for recruitment would commence soon, Jayachandra said.
The VCI would provide recognition to colleges based on the report submitted by the inspection team.
In the first five years, the VCI denied recognition to these colleges stating that institutions have inadequate infrastructure such as buildings, faculty members, hospital and livestock.
Answering questions, he said there was no proposal before the government to hike milk prices at present.
Referring to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, of the Centre, the Minister said the Act was in force from January 1, 2014.
As per the Act, industries have to acquire lands only after obtaining consent from landowners and approval of local rural/urban bodies.
Compensation for the land would be more than the prevailing market value. "Compensation will be double the market value," he said.
The Government has decided to frame new rules for implementing the Act in the State and the Rules would be notified in a few days, the minister said.
In future, he said compensation for land acquisition would be given to land owners as per the 2013 Act. New rules would come into force from June 1, 2014.