Bangalore: Alarmed by the declining interest among students in taking up basic science subjects, particularly at the degree level, the State Government has decided to give a big push for science education at the junior college level. It has decided to start science courses in junior colleges in 590 hoblis as part of the Suvarna Karnataka year.

Sources said the Department of Science and Technology has been pressuring the Government not to ignore basic sciences. The Government has taken note of the observations made by Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister C.N.R. Rao and others about the lack of interest on part of the students in basic sciences.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is stated to have taken a serious view of the declining interest of students in basic science subjects and told the officials to introduce science subjects at least at the rural level. He reportedly expressed his unhappiness over the absence of science courses in colleges at the taluk level.

Two years ago, the Department of Collegiate Education introduced a scheme under which students securing high marks in basic science subjects at the degree level were awarded cash prizes with a view to attracting bright students for postgraduate courses.

Under the Suvarna Gramodaya, the State Government has taken a new initiative for developing vibrant village communities by adopting an intensive and integrated approach to rural development.

Development

It has plans to take up development activities in 1,000 villages every year in collaboration with the private sector and non-governmental organisations by taking the support of the village communities.

The selection of villages will be based on criteria such as the size of the village, proximity to market centres, general accessibility through a good network of roads and the potential of a village to develop into a growth centre.

Preference will be given to the villages with large population from all districts and taluks to ensure a proper geographical spread of the programme, it is said.

A multi-departmental committee appointed by the Government has been entrusted with the task of short-listing the villages in each taluk, and once selected they will continue to be in the Suvarna Gramodaya list till the implementation of the schemes under it. Paving will be done on all internal roads/streets which have a minimum density of at least four dwelling houses or other buildings per 100 metres. Internal roads will have kerbside drains for draining off storm water with all the storm water being led away from the village site.

Water supply schemes will be built or augmented to meet the drinking water requirements in all parts of the village, especially the localities that are inhabited by weaker sections.

A new village extension will be developed with basic infrastructure and adequate sites to meet the requirement of the future expansion of the village for the next 10 years. Such sites will be for sale and below poverty line families without houses/sites will be given free sites and houses will be built for them. Electricity under the Bhagyajyoti scheme will be provided to them.

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