Cabinet Meet 17.02.2011

The Karnataka government Thursday extended the Unique Identification (UID) number project Aadhaar to the remaining 28 districts of the state following its successful implementation in Tumkur and Mysore districts.

'The cabinet has decided to implement Aadhaar in all districts to ensure every citizen residing across the state has a UID number, which will be helpful in establishing one's identity for several benefits,' the state's Higher Education Minister V.S. Acharya told reporters here.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), set up by the central government under the chairmanship of Nandan N. Nilekani, co-founder of IT bellwether Infosys Technologies Ltd, is the implementing agency in coordination with the state's e-governance department.

'The process of registering will be taken up in phases beginning with Bangalore Rural district on April 1 and in the city in May. We propose to cover the entire state by December,' Acharya said.

According to the state's e-governance Principal Secretary M.N. Vidashankar, citizens above 15 years of age have to furnish documentary evidence prescribed by the authority as proof of identity, home address and date of birth under 'know your resident information'.

'Biometric details such as photograph, fingerprints and iris (prints) will be taken during registration for preparing the UID number card. For children below 15 years, a number will be given on the basis of birth certificate and their number will be part of the parental card,' Vidyashankar said.

The UID project was initiated in the state on a pilot basis in October 2010 and has covered about 650,000 people in Tumkur and Mysore districts till date.(Sify)

Polytechnic teachers, rejoice! The state cabinet on Thursday decided to implement the Sixth Pay Commission report for teachers of state government and aided polytechnics across the state. This decision will double their salaries. Besides, it will also attract quality lecturers.

Higher education minister V S Acharya said the new pay scales will cost the exchequer Rs 71 crore more. The cabinet also cleared the National Ayurvedic Food Technologies Research Centre and Hospital at Uttarahalli in Bangalore South.

Ban on endosulfan: The state government banned the use of endosulfan across Karnataka, after considering reports of its disastrous effects on the health of villagers in Dakshina Kannada district. The problems ranged from neurological disorders to asthma, cancer and mental retardation. (TOI)

Hindu minorities react: On Thursday, the government brought the accounts of Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists under the muzrai department, evoking mixed reactions from these religious minorities. The government offered no explanation for its move
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