Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cabinet Meet 22.02.201

A push to make farming profitable

BANGALORE: In order to create an environment for robust growth in the agriculture sector, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved an integrated Karnataka agri-business development draft policy.

"The policy will dwell on an integrated agriculture development scheme to assure benefits of different schemes to farmers, on time making agriculture a profitable proposition," higher education minister V S Acharya told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

If the policy comes through, Acharya said, integrated farming techniques that connects livestock management with crop production will give rural development and agri-business in the state, the much-needed boost.Stating that farmers are key contributors and stake holders in sustainable rural development, the minister said an integrated approach that enables optimum use of resources, can change their (farmers) destiny.Acharya said the government will also ensure that funds available under various agriculture schemes and projects are spent properly, in the larger interest of farmers.

WHAT IT HOLDS: Develop a good institutional model to support both agriculture production and the agro-processing sector, to address the entire value-chain. To develop good business models and address the value chain through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, instituting a synergic and end-to-end model to attract more private investments. To develop a mechanism to reallocate agriculture workforce, who are involved in primary production to the agri-service sector by encouraging entrepreneurship

Other decisions:

The state cabinet on Tuesday approved introduction of the new draft policy to promote Kannada film industry which is going through troubled times for the past few years. "We will further fine-tune the draft policy before tabling it in the House," higher education minister V S Acharya told reporters after the cabinet meeting here. The new policy will facilitate improving the sagging image of the industry, with innovative measures and will also provide subsidies in a big way. The government will also bring some form of regulations to curb dubbing and remake of cinemas.

The cabinet also approved setting up of the Sahyadri Heritage Development Authority and an action plan to develop heritage centres at Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and Chikmagalur districts with a fund of Rs 9 crore. The cabinet also gave its nod to the draft copy of the Karnataka Public Trust Act for extending jurisdiction and services of public trusts in Mumbai-Karnataka region. "A new charity commission for the region will also be set up with a retired judge heading it," Acharya said. It was also agreed that two new members Abhijit Das Gupta and Musa Kui Nayar Mule will be selected as members of Karnataka Administration Tribunal. The duos' names have been sent to President Pratibha Patil for approval. Enhancement of retirement benefits to Anganwadi teachers and helpers with honorary retirement benefits of Rs 60,000 and 30,000 respectively and honorary retirement pension of Rs 500 and Rs 350 respectively, with extension of retirement age to 60 years Rs 25.32 crore for diverting water from other sources to Jambadahalli dam near Tarikere.

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