From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 7: The State Cabinet has recommended suspension of five members of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), who were allegedly involved in the 2011 scam in the selection of candidates for the gazetted probationers’ posts.

The five members are: S Rangamurthy, N Mahadev, H V Parshwanath, Dayashankar, and H D Patil.

It may be recalled that a member of this batch - Mangala Sridhar - has been suspended and is facing prosecution for her alleged involvement in recruitment scam.

The State Government would send a recommendation in this regard to President Pranab Mukherjee through Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.

Speaking to reporters after the State Cabinet meeting, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said three other members - B S Krishnaprasad, N Ramakrishna, and Kanhiram – had already retired as members of KPSC.

A few days ago, the State Cabinet sought prosecution of both serving and retired members.

The State Cabinet also recommended to the Centre to notify 30 sanctuaries and national parks as ‘eco-sensitive zones’ to check the negative impact of industrialisation and unplanned development in and around protected areas.

Jayachandra said the State Cabinet recommended the Centre to declare land falling within one-km radius of the boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries as ’eco-fragile zones’ as part of the action plan envisaged in the ‘Wildlife Conservation Strategy’ which was adopted in 2002.

However, the land falling within 100 meters radius in Pushpagiri, Bhramagiri and Talacauvery wildlife sanctuaries have been recommended for sensitive zones.

The purpose is to provide better sanctity to protected areas and check the adverse impact of unplanned development in and around Bengaluru, the minister said.