The State Cabinet gave its nod for purchase of 5.54 lakh bicycles for eighth standard students studying in government and aided schools across the State, at a cost of Rs 181.44 crore.
Briefing reporters, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said bicycles for boys will cost Rs 3,255 a piece and bicycles for girls are priced at Rs 3,320 a piece. The bicycle scheme was launched by the previous BJP government but had run into problems over quality issues. Jayachandra said the commissioner of public instruction has been directed to provide for third party inspection, both at the production and distribution level to ensure quality.
school development and monitoring Committees and school heads will also keep a tab on the quality of the bicycles. While boys will get blue coloured bicycles, girls will be given maroon ones.
The Cabinet also approved a mathematics orientation drive for students of class 4 and 5 in the six districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region comprising Bellary, Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir.
As many as 3.07 lakh students studying in 7,520 schools will be covered. The programme will be implemented in association with the Akshara Foundation at a cost of Rs 30 crore, Jayachandra said. Cabinet nod was also given for raising the upper age limit by two years for applicants of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ gazetted probationer posts. They will also be allowed two additional attempts.
The Karnataka Public Service Commission will soon start the process to fill up 452 Group A and B posts of gazetted probationary officers.
The present age limit for general category candidates is 35 years, for category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B 38 years, and for SC/ST candidates 40 years, the minister said. The Cabinet authorised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to appoint five official and three non-official members for the KPSC.