From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 27: Under the lease-cum-sale agreement, the Karnataka government has decided to sell 3600 acres of land to JSW Steel company in Sandur taluk of Ballari district.

The coalition government headed by Chief Minister H D Kumarawamy had allocated 3,600 acres to the JSW Steel company in 2005-06 under the lease-cum-sale agreement for a lease period of 10 years.

JSW Steel of Hosapete in Ballari is one of India’s leading integrated steel manufacturers with a capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). It has provided to jobs to 16,000 people.

Briefing the decisions taken by a Cabinet meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said as per the agreement signed over a decade ago, the land would be sold to the company for Rs 90,000 per acre based on the then guidance value.

The company has deposited the amount in 2007 and would pay if there is any difference in the amount to be paid, he said.

The Cabinet decided to promulgate an Ordinance for providing employment to 28 candidates who have been denied opportunity to join gazetted probationers Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts in 2005-06 on their selection in the 1998 batch of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) owing to alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

The decision was taken following the Karnataka High Court order directing the State Government to provide jobs since candidates were not involved in irregularities in the recruitment process.

Krishna Byre Gowda said it was decided to give choice to employees who are already in the service whether to remain in the existing department or join a new department based on their rankings.

In another decision, the State Cabinet has decided to include None of the Above (NOTA) option in the ballot of elections to the urban local bodies.

Several ULBs would go to polls on Wednesday.