L J Ravi 
Key decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 28-11-2024 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah:
Bengaluru, November 28: A total of 9 bills were amended and approved in the Cabinet meeting held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Approval of the “Unorganized Workers’ Social Security (Karnataka) (Amendment) Rules, 2024”:
The Unorganized Workers’ Karnataka Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has been approved.
The collection of Rs. 20 from each worker, Rs. 40 from the employer and Rs. 20 from the government for the Workers’ Welfare Fund has been increased to 50-50. The current contribution from the workers is Rs. 50, the government is Rs. 50 and the employer is Rs. 100 and the contribution has been increased. A contribution of Rs. 42 crore was being collected. The amendment is estimated to raise Rs 100 crore, said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil.
“Karnataka Groundwater (Regulations and Development and Management Control) (Amendment) Bill-2024 approved:
This bill has been amended to prevent tubewells from being left unsealed if they fail to be drilled. The bill provides for one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 and for persons who violate the rules by using groundwater in non-notified areas and fail to take safety measures, with a fine of Rs 5,000 and three months’ imprisonment.
.“Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill-204 approved:
Till now, the Governor was the Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University. The Chief Minister will become the Vice-Chancellor after the amendment. The Minister said that the amendment has been made to make the university more dynamic and to make decisions quickly.
“Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill-2024, “Brihat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2024”, “Karnataka Workers Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2024, “Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Professions Council Rules, 2024” and
“Basavan Bagevadi Development Authority, Bill, 2024” have been approved in the cabinet meeting,
Ropeways at tourist destinations
· Regarding the construction of ropeways at several tourist destinations in the state, the cabinet meeting has approved the Karnataka Tourism Ropeways Bill, 2024. Action will be taken to construct a ropeway by conducting a survey at 12 places including Anjanadri, Yadgir, Nandi Betta, Savadatti.
Approval for purchase of equipment for health centers
· In the year 2024-25, administrative approval has been given to purchase equipment worth Rs. 145.99 crores to provide basic diagnostic facilities to Primary Health Centers and Urban Primary Health Centers under various Finance Commission grants and to strengthen laboratories and health services in Urban Primary Health Centers, Urban Health Wellness Centers – Our Clinics at an estimated amount of Rs. 84.88 crores and to undertake construction works of 5 Urban Primary Health Centers and to purchase medicines and chemicals required for our clinics at an estimated amount of Rs. 72.96 crores under PM- ABHIM grant.
· Under the PM- ABHIM scheme, the order to shift the 50-bed Intensive Care Unit approved at CIMS, Chikkaballapur to Chintamani taluk of the district and construct it at a cost of Rs. 16.63 crores has been given ex-post facto approval.
· Under the PM- ABHIM scheme, administrative approval has been given to establish a total of 254 Urban Health and Wellness Centers – Namma Clinics with equipment at a cost of Rs. 108.36 crores.
Free hostel for poor students
14 guntes of Gomal land in Yaramaras village of Raichur district, taluk has been sanctioned to Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha, Bangalore for constructing a free hostel for poor students.
Digital Weighbridges near Sugar Factories
· In the first phase, approval has been given to install digital weighbridges near all sugar factories for the benefit of sugarcane growers at 15 locations identified by the 13 Agricultural Produce Market Committees of the state at a cost of Rs. 11.01 crore.
Bridge Construction
· The Karnataka Road Development Corporation has been given administrative approval to undertake the construction of a bridge across the Cauvery river near Kappady village, K.R. Nagar taluk, Mysore district at a cost of Rs. 25 crore.
Conversion of 500 government schools into Karnataka Public Schools
· Approval has been given to implement the initiative to convert 500 existing government schools into Karnataka Public Schools from July 2025 to June 2029 with the assistance of external funds of Rs. 2500 crores from the Asian Development Bank.
· The Cabinet has approved the invitation of tenders for the development of Ecological Experience Zone in Mysore at a cost of Rs. 18.47 crore and Travellers Nook in Hampi at a cost of Rs. 25.63 crore under the Central Tourism Scheme ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Corporation.
· Approval has been given to select a hotel operator through tender for the operation and management of Lalit Mahal Palace Hotel, Mysore from the Forest Lodges and Tourist Resorts Corporation. Adequate maintenance of five-star hotels.
