Karnataka cabinet reduces interview ratio for KPSC recruitment

BENGALURU: The state cabinet has decided to reduce the interview ratio for appointments to posts of gazetted A and B group probationers from the existing 1:5 to 1:3.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, in 2016, had increased the ratio (to 1:5) for gazetted probationers’ examination, popularly called KAS examination, following accusations of nepotism and corruption.

The cabinet decided to change the interview process of KAS officers as per recommendations of the PC Hota committee and to keep it in tune with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) model, a source said.

Several other decisions were taken at the cabinet meet on Wednesday, but they not shared with the media as the model code of conduct for the bypolls is in force.

Sources said the cabinet discussed a proposal to cut some general holidays by doing away with some Jayantis. It approved a new branch of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Vijayapura and a sports injury and robotic surgery facility at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Bengaluru.

The cabinet also approved a 60-bed children’s hospital in Shikaripura, Shivamogga, and 100ft Ring Road connecting Shivamogga railway station and Hospet Road.