Lucknow, July 19 (UNI) In view of the increasing number of aspirants and competition in the field, Uttar Pradesh government has decided to abolish ceiling of four private technical or management colleges in one district and approved the use of state-owned airstrips for private and government-run aviation academies.

A decision to this effect was taken here today at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mayawati.

The decision was taken to create market competition, the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Shailesh Krishna told the mediapersons in post-meeting briefing.

A committee has also been set up under principal secretary (technical education) to moniter these private technical colleges under the rules and guidence of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Director of IIT Kanpur and IIM Lucknow are the members of the committee among four others.

However, the government has also abolished the two committes, one empowered committee and other monitor committee which were responsible for approving and setting up of the colleges.

In another decision, the government has allowed use of 12 state own airstrips for private aviation academy.

Mr Krishna said under the scheme private or government aviation institutes, training pilots, will be allowed to use these airstrips.

Two-three such institutes can be allowed for one airstips, he added.

The government has also decided to provide reservation on appointment to handicapped in Class 1 and 2 officers on horizontal basis of three per cent in 43 government departments.

The cabinet also abolished payment of brokage and commission charges during auction of market loan by the finance department.

Earlier government was paying 6 paise per Rs 100 for such brokage and commission charges.

The UP government had extended the stamp duty exemption on conversion of Nazul land to free hold till March 31,2008.

UNI