Karnataka - Madikeri   

People unhappy over rejection of package

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, DEC. 10. The announcement by the Kodagu district in-charge Minister, Tanvir Sait, that that the Government would not sanction the Rs. 107-crore special economic package to ensure all-round development of Kodagu has disappointed the people of the district.

The Opposition parties, the BJP in particular, had termed the package preposterous. But, the Congress had fiercely defended it. Several such proposals were announced in the past by successive Governments to develop Kodagu, albeit on a low scale. None came through.

Ministers' promise

There were three Ministers from Kodagu in the S.M. Krishna Government. They promised to fetch an undisclosed sum as a special package for the region. Later, the matter was lost sight of as the three started pulling in different directions. "Packages are a bogus, they are announced only to hoodwink people," said C.M. Poovaiah, a resident of Virajpet.

The Rs. 107-crore package was announced just before the previous electionss with an eye on the vote bank, says, I.C. Chengappa, a resident of Kakotparambu.

The former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily had announced a package of Rs. 5 crores for Kodagu, but nothing came of it. The Janata Dal Government headed by the late J.H. Patel also came up with a similar announcement. However, Rs. 1 crore was released as part of the Rs. 2.5-crore renovation package for the temples at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala.

Rain damage

The Kodagu district administration sent a proposal to the State Government recently seeking Rs. 24.5 crores to take up rain damage works. The Revenue Secretary, Jayanti, who had served as Deputy Commissioner here, had reviewed the situation at a meeting here.

The Deputy Commissioner, Srikant Valagad, had released Rs. 1.50 crores, which was at his disposal here, for three taluks. Of the Rs. 24.54 crores sought, only Rs. 1 crore is said to have been granted last month.

"We are being ignored in all respects, who will bear the losses of farmers in Kodagu," asks Dolly, a farmer from Aruvathoklu in Madikeri taluk. Roads, bridges, culverts, electric poles and government buildings have suffered damage, he says.

Civic works

Since the end of the term of the elected body of the Madikeri City Municipal Council five months ago, and the appointment of the headquarters assistant to the Deputy Commissioner as Administrator, nothing has moved in Madikeri town, allege councillors.

The Administrator is blamed for not approving many works that would have helped the citizens' cause, some councillors said on the condition of anonymity.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

People unhappy over rejection of package
Satyagraha in February for Kodava homeland

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu