UNI

Belgaum, Sep 27: Karnataka cabinet today approved the long pending demand for upgradation of Belgaum-Goa road at a cost of Rs 65 crore, upgradation of Hubli and Belgaum airports and permission to construct building for Gulbarga circuit bench of the Karnataka high court.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti said the cabinet also approved the proposal to give bank guarantee for Rs 188 crore for Karnataka Power Corporation Limted (KPCL) for maintenance of Raichur Thermal plant.

Replying to a question, Mr Horatti said the finance department had been instructed to release funds for the upgradation of the airports of Belgaum and Hubli.

He said the government proposed to introduce Karnataka Land Records bill 2006, which enabled to punish those who acquire government and muncipal lands illegally. The punishment will be for the offenders as well as those officials involved in such illegal activities.

It was also decided to amend Karnataka land revenue Act to empower the regional commissioners in the state. They could enjoy all the powers that Divisional commissioners had before abolishment of the posts, he said.

The cabinet also decided to take up 750 villages this year under Suvarna Gram Yojana for the all-round development of the villages at a cost of Rs one crore each and to take up 1000 villages per year from next year.