Bengaluru, July 24 (PTI) Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday announced that the state cabinet has approved several key initiatives, including the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in space technology and the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP).
The proposed SpaceTech CoE will be established as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, with a total allocation of Rs 10 crore over five years.
“The Satellite Communication Industry Association (SIA-India) has been selected as the industry partner. The project has been granted exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999,” the Minister briefed reporters after the cabinet meeting.
The initiative aims to address the shortage of testing infrastructure in the space sector, as facilities operated by ISRO, DRDO, and other government agencies are currently at capacity and focused on their own missions.
With around 30 working prototypes emerging from the state’s startup ecosystem each month, the demand for independent testing is growing, he noted.
The cabinet also approved the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with a total budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore over five years. In the first year, Rs 200 crore will be allocated for implementation.
LEAP is designed to support emerging and existing startups across Karnataka and position the state as a future-ready innovation hub.
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Karnataka Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2024-29 to improve clarity and consistency in the policy language and structure without altering its core provisions or objectives, he added.
Approval was given for establishment of a Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Treatment Unit at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore comprising Rs 20 crore for civil works and Rs 30 crore for equipment purchase within the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur.
An additional Rs 62 crore was sanctioned for procuring medical equipment, furniture, and other apparatus for setting up a 450-bed hospital at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru.
A notification has been issued appointing the Revenue Minister as the chairperson of the seven boards and authorities. It has been now been decided to amend the Acts of the respective Boards/Authorities, the Minister said.
The proposed amendment bills pertain to Kudalasangama Development Authority, Kaginele Development Authority, Basavakalyan Development Board, Banavasi Development Authority, Sarvajna Development Authority, Kittur Development Authority and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority.
Seeking to regulate private ambulance service providers and register mobile medical units as private medical establishments, and mandate permanent registration within 30 days, Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has also been proposed.
The cabinet has given its nod to impose one per cent fire cess along with the property tax on newly constructed multi-storeyed buildings in the state to improve the efficiency of the fire department. PTI GMS GMS ROH
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