Additional Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh would be the new Chief Secretary of Karnataka after Rajneesh Goel’s tenure ends on 31 July.
Published Jul 27, 2024 | 12:13 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2024 | 12:16 AM
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressing the media after cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha. (File photo)
Karnataka Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, HK Patil announced after the state cabinet meeting on Friday, July 26, that Additional Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh would be the new chief secretary of the state. Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel’s tenure ends on 31 July and Shalini Rajneesh is married to CS Rajneesh Goel.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired the cabinet meeting, which took several decisions. Ramanagara district has been renamed Bengaluru South district; HK Patil explained that the decision was taken in accordance with the demand of local people and their elected representatives.
The state cabinet also approved an allocation of 2.64 acres in the Dharwad Gaamanagatti Industrial Area belonging to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to Lok Shikshan Trust, at 75 percent rebate, as a civic amenity (CA) site. It is an education Trust based in Dharwad.
The cabinet also approved ₹2,633 crore for the upgrade of the 60-acre Brindavan Garden at the Krishna Raja Sagara Reservoir near the dam across the Cauvery in Mandya district under the public-private partnership model. “The garden will be upgraded similar to the Disney Land in PPP model. The upgradation works will be carried out in 198 acres of land. The opinions have also been taken from the Finance, Planning, Inland Water Transport and Infrastructure departments,” Minister Patil added that Water Resources Department will invite tender soon.
The state cabinet approved the Karnataka General Services (Pre-University Education) (Recruitment) Rules, 2024, which will apply to the recruitment of lecturers at pre-university colleges. The 2013 rules have been amended, to provide that joint directors be appointed by promoting deputy directors who have served in that role for three years.
Cabinet approved relaxation of qualification for high school teachers to be promoted as lecturers for pre-university colleges. “To be qualified for PU college lecturer posts, high school teachers were required to score 55 percent in their post graduation courses. Now, the qualification has been reduced to 50 percent,” stated Minister Patil, adding that shortage of lecturers had led to the decision.
The state will also establish an “excellence centre” for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) 2.0, at an estimated cost of ₹16 crore, with ₹7 crore allocated for capital expenses and ₹9 crore towards operating expenses. The first AVGC centre was launched in Bengaluru in January, 2022, when Basavaraj Bommai was at the helm.
The cabinet decided to offer a special opportunity to all candidates who applied for the 2017-18 Karnataka Administrative Service examination, allowing them to apply again for the 2023-24 examination with age relaxation.
The state cabinet also decided to bring the Karnataka Vocal Training and Skill Development Corporation Ltd under the Companies Act. “There is no such corporation. We are setting it up now. Officials will be named as directors and five non-officials will also be directors in the KVTSDC. The main intention to set-up new corporation is to bring all the short-term skill development activities under the Kaushalya Mission under on roof,” stated Minister Patil.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
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