Bengaluru,(DHNS): The state Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for opening Indira canteens in all district and taluk headquarters across the state.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that, in all 246 more Indira canteens at 171 centres will be opened and they will be ready by January 1 next year. Currently, Indira canteens, which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at subsidied rates, are functioning in various wards of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Jayachandra said the process of identifying the land for setting up the canteens will be completed by November end. Construction of the canteens and kitchens will be completed by December end. Extending Indira Canteens across the state will cost the exchequer Rs 185 crore and the food subsidy will work out to Rs nine crore per month. The canteens will come up near bus stands, government hospitals, railway stations, Jayachandra said.

DNB courses for govt docs

In another decision, the Cabinet gave its approval for starting Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses in eight district hospitals, besides K C General and Jayanagar General Hospitals in Bengaluru. DNB is a title awarded by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), an autonomous academic body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and is considered equivalent to postgraduate medical education. The eight district hospitals include those at Bagalkot, Ballari, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Kolar, Kalaburagi, Tumakuru and Vijayapura.

Jayachandra said in-service government doctors can enrol for DNB courses improve their qualification and practice as specialists. A total of 1,065 doctors can enrol for the course during 2017-18. The move will help in overcoming the shortage of doctors in government hospitals, Jayachandra added.

The Cabinet gave its approval for various purchases in government, aided ITIs including mechanical machines, tools, electrical equipment, stationery materials, shoes and socks for students, among others, at a cost of Rs 88.15 crore.

The Cabinet gave its approval for providing two gas refill free of cost along with LPG connection, two-burner stoves and regulators under the Mukhyamantri Anila Bhagya scheme for BPL families. Under the scheme, the government has earmarked Rs 1,137 crore for providing free LPG connections to 28 lakh beneficiaries. Jayachandra said. As many as 10 lakh beneficiaries across the state will be given free LPG connection by March 31, 2018.