Taking a U-turn on its earlier decision to scrap the entire list of 362 gazetted probationers of the 2011 batch, the State Cabinet yesterday accepted the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) order on the recruitment of the probationers.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah decided to accept the Oct. 2016 order of KAT and not to appeal against it.

Speaking to press persons after the meeting, Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the KAT has rejected all the charges made by the CID in its report on the alleged irregularities in the recruitment by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The Cabinet has accepted the order in the interest of administration, he said and added that the Government will go ahead with the implementation of the Hota Committee report to bring in reforms in KPSC.

KIADB lands: Continuing, Jayachandra said in an effort to woo investors, the Government has decided to allow allotment of KIADB lands on lease-cum-sale basis for single unit complexes, affordable housing projects and projects undertaken by PSUs.

Pointing out that currently, land is allotted only on 99 years lease to all industrial projects, the Minister said the Government will soon amend Karnataka Industrial Policy (2014-19), to allow allotment of lands under lease-cum-sale basis. The decision will have retrospective effect from Aug.2014 when the 99-year lease rules come into effect, he added.

Health policy: Stating that the Cabinet has approved a proposal to frame a new health policy for the State, he said the Health and Family Welfare Department will draft the policy based on the millennium development and sustainable goals, which envisages use of technology in public health care delivery.

The Cabinet also decided to take up construction of court complexes and residential quarters for judicial employees in various parts of the State at a cost of Rs. 1011.07 crore.

The other Cabinet decisions taken include direct recruitment of 1,900 Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers by Water Resources Department, allotment of G-category site to Banjara Lambani Samaja at Davanagere and direct purchase of 353 acres of land for setting up RDPR (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) University in Gadag district.

‘Gift’ for poll bound N’gud

The Cabinet has approved a Rs.45 crore project to fill up 25 lakes using Kabini river water in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district. The project is seen as an effort by the ruling Congress to woo the electorate ahead of the by-election to Nanjangud Assembly constituency. The Election Commission is yet to announce the by-election date.