CFL bulbs to replace incandescent in poor households in K'taka

A meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, decided to give two CFL bulbs each free of cost to the beneficiaries of the Government-funded "Antyodaya" housing scheme through public distribution system at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

Briefing reporters, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar also said 600 acres and 476 acres of private land would be purchased in Thogarigatta village in Tumkur district and Aaroody village in Bangalore Rural district, respectively, to establish landfills for disposing of garbage generated in Bangalore city.

He said pending probe by the Lokayukta on encroachment of Wakf Board land, as per a report given by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission, the Cabinet decided to form a high level committee to enquire into the issue and repossess such assets by taking action against the guilty.

In addition, it was also decided to issue notice to Wakf Board asking why it should not be superseded by the government, the Minister said.

The Cabinet gave the nod to set up an authority for the comprehensive development of the famous Male Mahadeshwara hills and surrounding areas in Chamarajanagar district.

The Centre has fixed a minimum support price of Rs 3,850 per quintal for tur dal, while the Cabinet today decided to fix it at the rate of Rs 4,000 per quintal. The Centre would be urged to raise the price, he added.