Bengaluru, (DHNS): Five months after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced carving out of 49 new taluks in the state budget proposals for 2017-18, the state Cabinet on Monday finally gave its approval for the same.

Briefing reporters after the meeting in Bengaluru, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said deputy commissioners have been directed to finalise the boundaries of the new taluks coming under their jurisdiction. “We are ensuring that there is no ambiguity and all details are finalised before issuing the government order carving out the new taluks,” he said.

The first announcement to form new taluks was made by BJP leader Jagadish Shettar when he was the chief minister in 2013.

However, it did not materialise due to the cost factor. It is estimated that at least Rs 2 crore is required to form a new taluk. At present, there are 176 taluks spread over 30 districts in the state.

New taluks

The 49 new taluks proposed to be carved out in various districts are as follows: Guledagudda, Rabakavi-Banahatti and Ilakal (Bagalkot); Nippani, Mudalagi and Kagawad (Belagavi); Hanuru (Chamarajanagara); Nyamati (Davangere); Chitaguppa, Hulasuru and Kamalanagara (Bidar); Kurugodu, Kotturu and Kampli (Ballari); Annigeri, Alnavar and Hubballi City (Dharwad); Gajendragad and Lakshmeshwar (Gadag); Kalagi, Kamalapura, Yadrami and Shahabad (Kalaburagi); Hunasagi, Vadagera and Gurumitkal (Yadgir); Kukanuru, Kanakagiri and Karatagi (Koppal); Maski and Siravara (Raichur); Brahmavara, Kapu and Byndooru (Udupi); Moodbidire and Kadaba (Dakshina Kannada); Yelahanka (Bengaluru Urban); Babaleshwara, Nidagundi, Tikota, Devarahipparagi, Talikote, Chadachana and Kolhara (Vijayapura); Rattihalli (Haveri); Saraguru (Mysuru); Ajjampura (Chikkamagaluru); Dandeli (Uttara Kannada) and KGF (Kolar).

Super speciality hospitals

In another decision, the state Cabinet gave its approval for construction of super speciality hospitals on the premises of K R Hospital in Mysuru, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belagavi and Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi at a total cost of Rs 501 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the decision to provide ‘Nirmala kits’ consisting of uniforms, coconut oil and soaps from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) to students of residential schools run by Backward Classes Welfare department at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore.