Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040404900400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

NGEF revival package to be submitted to High Court

Special Correspondent

Cabinet discusses comprehensive package prepared by a group of experts

Package to be submitted on April 6
Cabinet considers teachers' demand for special allowance

Horatti urges teachers to end evaluation boycott

BANGALORE: The Government has decided to submit to the Karnataka High Court a comprehensive package for the revival of New Government Electric Factory (NGEF) on April 6.

Addressing presspersons after a Cabinet meeting here on Monday, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj S. Horatti said the Cabinet discussed the revival package prepared by a group of experts. Since the legislature is in session and there is not enough time to discuss the revival plan in detail, the Cabinet authorised Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who holds the Industries portfolio, and Chief Secretary B.K. Das to finalise the revival package to be submitted to the High Court.

The High Court, on December 22, 2005, terminated the auction proceedings of the assets of NGEF and asked the Government to submit a comprehensive revival package. It directed the State to place before it the Cabinet note and proceedings and the names and addresses of Ministers and officials of the S.M. Krishna government who were a party to the decision to wind up NGEF. The names and addresses of those in the N. Dharam Singh government who had sought to revive the unit were also called for.

Union demand

The NGEF Employees Union had staged demonstrations on several occasions demanding the revival of the public sector undertaking and protection for the hapless employees.

Mr. Horatti said the Cabinet also discussed the secondary school teachers' demand for a special allowance of Rs. 200, which has been granted to primary school teachers. If the demand is granted, it will cost the Government an additional Rs. 22 crore a year. He appealed to the teachers to call off the boycott of evaluation of answer scripts of the SSLC examination.

The appointment of a new Advocate-General and the Hubli Idgah Maidan issue did not figure in the meeting, he said.

The Government will be filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that the Hubli Idgah Maidan will be converted into a park.