Karnataka cabinet clears free laptops to 1.5 lakh students

BENGALURU: The Karnataka cabinet today approved free laptops to about 1.5 lakh students who have got admitted to government or aided medical, engineering and first grade colleges in the academic year 2017-18.

The initiative is expected to cost Rs 300 crore to the state government.

"Government has approved free distribution of laptops to students who have obtained admission in government and aided medical, engineering, first grade and polytechnic colleges for the academic year 2017-18," Jayachandra told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.

He said "the estimated cost is Rs 300 crore... government aims to cover 1.5 lakh students and the criteria is their family annual income should be below Rs 2.5 lakh."

The government's intention to this effect was earlier announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget speech to encourage higher education.

The other decisions taken by the cabinet today included approval for new Karnataka Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Policy 2011-2022.

Jayachandra said the new policy intends to bring in more investments into the sector and create employment to about 20,000 people.

The new policy gives thrust on skill development in the sector and to project Karnataka, especially Bengaluru as the hub in animation, visual effects and gaming globally, the minister added.

The cabinet also gave administrative approval for promoting Karnataka tourism in BMRCL Metro stations at a total expenditure of Rs 37.38 crore and applicable tax for next 5 years and to entering into agreement with BMRCL.