Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031560190500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Procurement price for ragi, jowar raised

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Government has decided to procure ragi at Rs. 750 a quintal and jowar at Rs. 1,500 a quintal. The Minimum Support Price for ragi has been fixed at Rs. 600 while it is Rs. 620 for jowar.

Addressing presspersons after a meeting of the executive committee, Governor Rameshwar Thakur said the decision had been taken to procure the two commodities at higher prices to fetch higher income to farmers.

A decision had also been taken to start a horticultural college in Bagalkot from the next academic year (2008-09). A special officer had been asked to prepare the detailed project report on the college and Rs. 8 crore had been released, P.P. Prabhu, adviser to the Governor said.

The Kumaraswamy Government had decided to set up the horticultural university in Bagalkot. The university would be set up later, Mr. Prabhu said.

The executive committee has given administrative approval for Rs. 14 crore to set up a district court complex in Hassan, P.K.H. Tharakan, adviser to the Governor, said.

A decision had also been taken to fill 4,334 vacancies in subordinate courts in the State. About one-fifth of the vacant posts would be filled in the coming fiscal year, he said. This would incur an annual expenditure of Rs. 28 crore to the Government.