HASSAN: Despite being an important tourist centre and a hobli headquarters, Ramanathapura of Arkalgud taluk in Hassan district, remains neglected. The hobli with a population of 12,000 does not even have a primary health centre.

The children of the poor cannot pursue education as Ramanathapura does not have a higher secondary school or a junior college. They have to go to Konanur hobli, which is about 5 km away.

Many tourists visit Ramanathapura for the scenic beauty it offers. The Cauvery that flows along the green fields and temples presents a beautiful sight as it reflects the blue sky.

President of the taluk unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) C. Thontappa and Aiyanna Gowda of the hobli said the people were forced to go to Basavapatna for treatment. Many who were suffering from chikungunya were in trouble. The only Ayurvedic centre in the town could not serve all of them, they regretted.

When contacted, District Health Officer Nagaraja Rao said the department had sent proposals for setting up of a primary health centre in Ramanathapura to the Government twice.

In its reply, the Health Department clarified that Ramanathapura's population was "insufficient" for setting up such a centre there. Another proposal was sent recently to the department in this connection, he added.

However, the people of Ramanathapura wanted to know why it was not possible for setting up a health centre in the hobli, while every village in Holenarsipur taluk had a health centre.

Similar was the plight of children as they have to depend on one aided and another private school.

Those who were not able to afford to pay the fee prescribed have been denied of an opportunity to continue their education.

Residents sought to know while Paduvalahippe village in Holenarsipur taluk could have a first grade college, what stopped the Government from sanctioning a composite government junior college for Ramanathapura.

They charged the district in-charge Minister H.D. Revanna with being partisan focussing only on the development of Holenarsipur taluk. They said he should be ensure the overall development of the district.

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