Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar addresses an event
Bengaluru: A day ahead of a meeting to mark 100 days of the govt in office, chief minister DK Shivakumar ’s cabinet Wednesday cleared a slew of populist schemes, including a Rs 2,500 monthly incentive for every new employment generated in 10 backward districts and 50,000 free sites in every district. The govt has allocated Rs 300 crore for the scheme and Parameshwara said the programme could be extended beyond two years if it is successful. Parameshwara, who also holds the revenue portfolio, said the cabinet decided to provide 50,000 free sites to landless people in every district. He cited the example of independent Gauribidanur MLA Puttaswamy Gowda, who procured 10 tractors and used them to assist small farmers in his constituency. In a landmark decision, the cabinet approved campus elections in colleges and universities after a gap of 30 years. Deputy CM G Parameshwara said polls will be held for 12 posts — 1 president, 2 vice-presidents (one reserved for woman), 1 general secretary, 2 joint secretaries (one reserved for woman) and 6 executive committee members (2 reserved for women).
Briefing reporters after the meeting, deputy CM G Parameshwara said the govt had approved the Udyoga Nidhi scheme to encourage industries and employers to generate jobs in districts identified by the Professor Govind Rao Committee as requiring special assistance for development. “For every employment generated, the govt will give Rs 2,500 per month for 24 months,” said Parameshwara. He said the incentive is intended to help employers meet additional costs such as PF, ESI and other overheads. “Impressed by this, the cabinet decided to implement the scheme on a pilot basis across 31 taluks — one per district,” he said.
The districts are Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Haveri, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Vijayanagara, Gadag and Vijayapura. “The assistance will be extended to new hires in existing firms and new companies. There is no reservation for caste or community.