Rs 2,836-cr infrastructure push for small and medium towns

The state Cabinet on Wednesday decided to release Rs 2,836 crore for improvement of infrastructure in medium and small towns.

The improvement is under the Nagarothana Chief Minister Small and Medium Towns Development Programme (CMSMTDP). This is the third instalment of funds being released for infrastructure development in urban pockets of the state.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that the programmes will help in planned integrated development of towns besides creating public assets and providing quality-oriented services.

In another decision, the Cabinet cleared setting up of centres of excellence at sub-centres of Government Tool Room and Training Centres at Bengaluru, Kalaburagi, Dandeli in Uttara Kannada district and Mysuru at a cost of Rs 2,054 crore.

The Cabinet decided to take up improvement of 4,290 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 3,361 crore in 189 Assembly constituencies under Gandhi Patha Grama Patha (Namma Grama Nama Rasthe Yojane phase - 4).

Tur under PDS
The Cabinet decided that tur dal be sold through public distribution system (PDS) at subsidised rates in the state.

One kg of tur dal will be provided to a ration card holder per month.

Jayachandra said, at present, carbohydrate-rich food grains are being provided through PDS.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department is bringing in a protein component under PDS scheme for the first time by introducing tur dal by providing a subsidy of Rs 30 per kg, he said.

It was also decided that Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for beneficiaries of all Centrally-assisted schemes be introduced in all districts by March 31, 2017.

DH News Service