From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 10: In a bid to raise funds for the second phase of expansion of Metro Rail system in Bengaluru, the State Cabinet has decided to go in for commercial exploitation of lands available in all the Metro Rail Stations constructed under the first phase of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) project.

BMRCL has the authority to lease out the available lands for a maximum of 60 years for setting up commuter amenities and commercial exploitation. 

The State Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday decided to allow BMRCL to exploit these lands for commercial purposes to generate revenue which could be used for funding of the second phase of Bengaluru Metro project. 

The first phase of the project is in final stages of completion.

The extent of land available at various Metro stations in the City is as follows:
*Byappanahalli--8 acres.
*Swamy Vivenkananda Road--2.1 acres.
*Peenya---5 acres.
*Nagasandra--14 acres
*Jalahalli---1.5 acres.
*Mysuru Road---6 acres.
*Banashanakari----5 acres.

Briefing the reporters on the decisions taken by the State Cabinet, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said land exploitation would be allowed under certain conditions which would be specified soon. 

Highest priority would be accorded for creating parking facility at the stations, he said.

Change in guidelines to determine BPL families

In another decision, the State Cabinet has asked the State Food and Civil Supplies Department to make changes and simplify the guidelines for considering a family as Below Poverty Line (BPL) family keeping in tune with the changing socio-economic changes.

The State Cabinet has decided to consider the four categories given below as non-BPL category while issuing the BPL ration cards. They would be eligible for APL (Above Poverty Line) cards only.

Non-BPL Category

*Those who are government employees, or employed in government aided companies/institutions, those who are Income Tax and Service Tax assessees.
*Those who own at least 3 hectares of dry land.
*Those own a house of dimension 1000 sq.ft in City Corporation Limits or 1200 sq.ft house in other towns.
*Those who own a 4-wheeler. However, those who own a 4-wheeler commercial vehicle (for instance cab) for their livelihood would be exempted and considered for BPL tag.