127 criminal cases booked against farmers to be withdrawn

To woo the farming community ahead of the Assembly polls, the state Cabinet on Friday decided to withdraw 127 criminal cases filed against farmers involved in various agitations, including those related to the Mahadayi and the Cauvery river water disputes.

Briefing reporters, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that cases against 97 farmers and 30 persons involved in other agitations, will be withdrawn.

Taking into account the long-standing demand of veterinary doctors who had demanded salaries on a par with medical practitioners, the Cabinet has decided to grant a special allowance of 25% to these doctors.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for the distribution of shoes and socks to 48.1 lakh students of government schools for the year 2018-19 at a cost of Rs 130 crore.

It okayed the proposal to purchase 312 Mahindra Bolero jeeps by the police department at a cost Rs 20.5 crore.

Jayachandra also said that approval had been given to lease the civil terminal at Bidar Airport to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited for airport operations till 2033.

The Cabinet has approved the revised estimation of Rs 2,618 crore for providing drinking water from Tungabhadra river to villages in Pavagada, Molakalmuru, Challakere, Hosapete and Kudligi taluks.

Approval has also been given to grant 16 acres of government land to Karnataka State Cricket Association to build a greenfield cricket stadium at Holali village near Kolar.