Will water tarrif in Bangalore rise?

The long-pending proposal from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) for increasing water tariff is likely to come for cabinet approval on Friday.

Considering the sensitivity of the issue, the state government is said to be considering setting up a committee to finalise the tariff hike on a scientific basis.

According to sources, the proposal for diversion of surplus waters from west-flowing rivers of the state to meet the drinking water needs of Bangalore, Kolar and other parched districts is expected to receive a push with an allocation of `23 crore for preparing a detailed project report.

The cabinet is almost certain to approve the proposal for setting up 11 new nursing colleges and 19 paramedical colleges. It is also set to approve the setting up of Karnataka Folklore University.

Approval for revised estimates of `37crore for the construction of annexe building of Kandaya Bhavan on Kempe Gowda Road in Bangalore, tax reliefs for sugar industries and grant of funds for fee exemption for 5% of supernumerary quota seats for poor meritorious students in undergraduate engineering courses are among the issues that are expected to get cabinet nod.

The cabinet is also said to be ready to cancel the order issued to close or  privatise the state-owned Mysore Minerals Limited, which is engaged in iron ore mining and whose functioning has drawn flak from the Lokayukta.