The Cabinet also sanctioned an ESI dispensary at Kurmannapalem in Visakhapatnam which will benefit about 6,500 families in the locality.

The State Cabinet which met here today approved the proposal to amend various municipal Acts to exempt building accommodating educational institutions (upto Class X) including hostels run for non-commercial purposes and also in all notified slum areas. It has decided to exempt buildings used for philanthropic purpose like shelter for destitutes, orphans, physically challenged, aged or juvenile delinquents, AIDS victims, leprosy patients and streetchildren from property tax payment. Buildings under self-occupation by ex-servicemen, widows of ex-servicemen, serving defience personnel or members of the family of serving defence personnel on duty also are exempted from property tax.

The State Government has decided to provide financial assistance to more ST law graduates and enhanced the number from five to 184 every year. Five ST law graduates from each district will be given five seats under the scheme, while the remaining 69 seats will be distributed by the Commissioner of Tribal Welfare as per requirements in the districts. Candidates will be selected by the District Collectors and attached to law officers within the district with an enhanced stipen of Rs 1,000 per month and allowance of Rs 6,000 for purchase of books.

The Cabinet sanctioned 1,536 posts in the engineering wing of the Panchayat Raj department to execute works under various schemes like Prime Minister Sadak Yojana and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It has also ratified sanction of 109 posts to Mahatma Gandhi University at Nalgonda and 52 posts of Principals in 52 newly sanctioned junior colleges.

The Cabinet approved the proposal for sanctioning 25 posts for the junior civil judge court at Repalle in Guntur and also six posts of registrars at the State High Court.

The Kochi Corporation is joining hands with cellular provider Airtel to organise a mini marathon on Sunday. People from all walks of life including celebrities are expected to participate in the event.

Airtel Kochi Mini Marathon will carry the theme ‘Clean City Green City’. The first of its kind event will start from Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor. It will begin at 7.30 am and end at 8.30 am. It will pass through Kaloor- Kadavanthra Road and return to the stadium.

There will be different sections for men and women. The winners can carry home a prize money of Rs 30,000. The second and third prize winners will get Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Prize money is the same for both men and women categories. There is no age bar for participating in the marathon.

“The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has earmarked the stadium for the function. The city police have extended their support to ensure the safety of participants which include children as well,” said Mayor Mercy Williams on Tuesday. The Mayor said that the Indian Navy, Kerala State Athletics Association, veteran associations, various clubs, business organisations and residents associations are supporting the marathon.

Registration for the event is open at multiple locations in the city.

Chest bibs and registration forms can be collected from Airtel customer relationship centres within the Corporation limit, petrol pumps, cafes and shopping malls.

Direct registration can be done at the venue from 5 am on the day of the marathon. You can also register online by logging onto www.kochimarathon.com.