From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 18: Keeping with its penchant for formulating new policies on several subjects, the B S Yeddyurappa regime on Tuesday approved the new IT and Electronic Hardware policies to further boost the growth of these sectors, which account for 20 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the State Cabinet, Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said the new IT Policy 2011 envisages promotion of the information technology industries and innovative parks in Tier II and III cities.
Pointing out that the state had achieved Rs 75,000 crore worth exports in software this year, the minister said the government also approved the Karnataka Electronics Hardware Policy and earmarked Rs 25 crore as budgetary allocation for its implementation.
Four Electronic Hardware parks in the clusters of Bangalore—Tumkur, Shimoga— Hassan, Hubli—Dharwad and Mysore—Nanjangud would be developed, he said disclosing that about 500 to 1,000 acres of land has been identified for the establishment of each of the parks.
The state cabinet decided to withdraw tax exemption granted to tertiary sector activities in the Export Oriented SEZ located in the city. Consequently, the tax concession will now be available only to units engaged in production of export oriented products.
New Sand Mining Policy from April 1
Dr Acharya said the Government would introduce its new sand mining policy from this April one under which the construction material would be auctioned ending the practice of issue of permits.
The cabinet sub-committee headed by Transport and Home Minister R Ashok, constituted to suggest measures to draw the new policy, submitted ten recommendations to the state cabinet which would lead to increase in royalty collection from Rs 11.50 crore to about Rs 80 crore annually, according to the minister.
He explained that the cabinet sub-committee recommend ban on sale of filter sand.
Sixth Pay Commission scales
The State Cabinet also approved implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations for the teaching staff of the private-aided engineering colleges, which would benefit teaching staff in 19 such colleges in the state and cost Rs 79 crore per year.
The new pay scales would be paid with effect from April 1, 2006, as per the AICTE guidelines.
In another decision the state cabinet enhanced allocation for the state's first DNA Centre from Rs 4 crore to Rs 12.15 Crore to fund its expansion and research activities.
The Centre functioning at the Dharwad University is engaged in research work in genetic diseases like Haemophilia, Anaemia, Sickle Cell, Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancer among others.