Non-Karnataka students allotted 350 seats: CM

Karnataka chief minister N Dharam Singh said that his government has made available 350 seats to non-Karnataka merit students in professional colleges in the state.

The number of such seats would be increased, if required, he told reporters here.

For the first time, a legislation had been enacted to protect the interests of the poor and merit students without succumbing to the pressure of the private managements, he said.

Replying to another question, he said that he had received a letter from former prime minister H D Deve Gowda but was yet to go through it.

Gowda had written to Dharam Singh demanding that a probe be ordered into alleged irregularities in various projects implemented by Bangalore Development Authority during the last five years.

On the naxalite issue, the chief minister said that the government was ready to hold a dialogue with the naxalite groups to solve their problems. Senior officials visited the 'naxalite-prone forest areas', the chief minister added.

The chief minister also said that the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government would complete its full term of five years, despite speculations and doubts on the longevity of the government.

"We are all working in coordination and will complete five years with good administration and fulfil the promises given to the people," Singh said, after inaugurating a new marriage hall of the Sri Mookambika Temple here.

He said that the state cabinet had discussed in detail all alleged scams including the 'land scam' and the 'rice scam' involving export of rice meant for 'food for work programme'.

"Impartial inquiry would be conducted into all these scams and there is no intention of the government to shield anyone who is involved," Singh said.