The Hindu : Karnataka / Madikeri News : Minister to expedite release of funds to Kodagu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Madikeri

Minister to expedite release of funds to Kodagu

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, SEPT. 13. The Kodagu district in-charge Minister, Tanvir Sait, on Monday said that he would expedite the release of funds required to take up immediate relief works in the district, particularly roads, which were damaged during the recent rains.

Chairing a review meeting on the progress of works in Kodagu district, Mr. Sait said he would speak to the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, in that regard.

To a demand by C.S. Arun Machaiah, MLC; H.D. Basavaraj, Virajpet MLA; and K.G. Bopaiah, Madikeri MLA, on the Rs. 107-crore special package for Kodagu, as promised by the previous Government, Mr. Sait said that he would lead a delegation comprising MLAs, MLC, the zilla panchayat president and others, to the Government. He said that he would liaise with the Centre for the Rs. 16-crore package seeking funds to contain the elephant menace in Kodagu.

Delay in funds

Mr. Bopaiah, Mr. Basavaraj and Mr. Machaiah took exception to the delay in releasing the rain damage funds to the district even more than a month after submitting a report.

The Deputy Commissioner, Srikant Valagad, said a proposal seeking Rs. 24.54 crores had been submitted to the Government through the Revenue Secretary, who had come here last month.

He said that Rs. 35 lakhs each had been distributed among the three taluks to take up immediate relief works.

Mr. Machaiah alleged the current year's budget did contain anything on the special package.

Mr. Basavaraj said that grants under border area development had been stopped for the last four years.

He asked Mr. Sait to enquire why funds for slum clearance was not forthcoming.

The president of the zilla panchayat, Chitra Ramesh, urged Mr. Sait to impress upon the Government to release rain damage funds as early as possible.

Releasing of crop insurance, ending the elephant menace and expediting the special package too were emphasised by her.

Government schools

The Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, P.L. Budihal, said that additional government high schools were needed for Kodagu. The in-charge DDPI, Jagadeesh, said that the district received Rs. 3.38 crores in the last three years under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, of which 98 per cent had been utilised.

The District Health Officer, Vishwanath Kumar, said that there was a shortage of 20 specialist doctors in various community health centres in Kodagu.

Mr. Bopaiah wanted to know why the engineering wing of the ZP owed Rs. 40 lakhs in Madikeri taluk alone to the contractors for drinking water projects. Mr. Budihal said that all outstanding amounts to the contractors would be cleared soon.

Water schemes

The Executive Engineer, Keshavamurthy, said that 40 "Swajaladhara" drinking water programmes had been approved for Kodagu at a cost of Rs. 2.08 crores. The Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Ramesh Murthy, said that 16 posts of veterinary doctors, among other staff, were vacant in Kodagu.

Mr. Basavaraj took the Assistant Executive Engineer of the Harangi sub-division to task when the official feigned ignorance over the proposed lift irrigation projects at Kongana and Dubare in Virajpet taluk.

The Superintendent of Police, Devajyoti Ray; standing committee chairpersons of the zilla panchayat, Suju Thimmaiah and V.K. Devalingaiah; and the former presidents of the zilla panchayat K.P. Chandrakala and Veena Achaiah were present.

Mr. Sait reviewed the progress of the Police and the Forest departments later in the evening.

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