In a move perceived as minority appeasement after the Davangere South by-election fiasco, where the government denied a ticket to a minority candidate, the Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs 600 crore plan for development of minority colonies across the state for the financial years 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Government Defends Decision
Law and parliamentary affairs minister H K Patil dismissed allegations of appeasement, stating, "There is no political connotation. The minority welfare department had prepared the action plans for Rs 600 crore and the same was cleared by the cabinet. Nobody was waiting to use it as a political tool." When asked about the two-year approval, Patil explained that some projects might overrun the timeframe, and the additional year ensures projects are not left incomplete.
Land Deal for Applied Materials
The government also approved a mega land deal for California-based semiconductor company Applied Materials at a cost of Rs 785 crore. The deal, at the Bengaluru Signature Business Park in Devanahalli, will provide 140 acres to the company on a lease-cum-sale deed. Patil informed that the land will be provided at Rs 1,288 per square feet. Applied Materials will set up an R&D ecosystem.
Internal Reservation Notification Withdrawn
The state government decided to withdraw the April 27 order on internal reservation as it interfered with examinations already conducted and posts already called for. During a discussion, it was identified that merit lists for 1,600 posts called by KEA and 1,400 posts by KPSC were completed. A cabinet minister said, "The April 27 notification had encompassed these posts and hence it had to be withdrawn. A fresh notification will be issued after consultation with the social welfare department for all other posts where merit lists have not been announced."
Other Cabinet Decisions
- Approval of high-speed rail corridors for Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Bengaluru-Chennai.
- For the central government urban challenge fund, the cabinet approved two committees for technical and steering of projects.
- Viable gap funding of Rs 28 crore approved for Star Air to operate flights between Bengaluru-Bidar and Bengaluru-Kalaburagi.
