Bangalore: Karnataka's government will fund the establishment of 75 National Cadet Corps (NCC) units in educational institutions across the state to commemorate the state's 75th anniversary of independence, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced on Sunday as he reopened the Government Flying Training School in Jakkur.

"The additional units will enable the state to induct an additional 7,500 cadets into the NCC. The State Government will invest Rs.12,000 per cadet in the new units on an annual basis. This comes at a time when youth interest in the NCC has waned," the Chief Minister said after inaugurating a series of sports and youth empowerment programmes organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment. He stated that approximately 44,000 NCC cadets are currently enrolled in educational institutions throughout the State.

The Chief Minister stated that the Government's goal is to have approximately 50,000 NCC cadets by next year and that Karnataka will hold discussions with the Defence Ministry to amend certain regulations to facilitate the transition of NCC cadets to colleges.

Bommai stated that it was critical for the flying school to reopen after a six-year hiatus in order to protect the aerodrome. "The government has decided to train 100 young pilots and has also purchased a new twin engine trainer aircraft. We will seek additional land to ensure the runway's safety and functionality," he said.

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