Madikeri: The committee set up by the State Government, that had stated that a majority of land in Kodagu was forests, is required to file its recommendations before the Supreme Court. However, it might prove a threat to the existence of the people in Kodagu and must be stalled, Madikeri MLA K.G. Bopaiah said here on Friday.

He was addressing presspersons at a programme organised by the Kodagu Press Club. President of the club H.T. Anil presided over the function.

The committee, which was formed according to instructions from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), had notified that over 80 per cent of the district terrain were "forests".

The State Government was required to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court in this regard. About the Delimitation Commission of India's proposal to cut down on one Assembly segment in Kodagu, from three to two, Mr. Bopaiah said people needed to oppose the proposal during a public hearing by the commission in Kodagu.

The issue of "bane" lands in Kodagu could not be resolved owing to bureaucratic bottlenecks, Mr. Bopaiah said. He said officials had misled the Government though a solution was in sight. Certain environmentalists were also behind this. Mr. Bopaiah denied that he had differences with district in-charge Minister Ramachandra Gowda.

Kodagu's development

Mr. Bopaiah listed out the development projects initiated by him in Madikeri taluk in the last one year. The Government had sanctioned a special package for roads in the district last year involving Rs. 17.5 crore. However, he had insisted that a special road fund be set up for Kodagu in view of the Nanjundappa Committee recommendations. The State Government had agreed in-principle to release funds in a phased manner. He said he had requested the Government to earmark Rs. 50 crore each year until all roads were developed. The Government had cleared proposals to construct mini Vidhana Soudhas in Madikeri and Virajpet taluks, he added.

The Betri drinking water project from Cauvery to Madikeri city might not get Government nod since the Irrigation Department's clearance was required for projects involving more than Rs. 5 crore. The Betri project estimate had been put at Rs. 19.5 crore. The Government had approved the implementation of the "Kundamestri" project near here at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.33 crore. The private bus stand in Madikeri would be shifted to the University of Agricultural Sciences here. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Mr. Ramachandra Gowda in Bangalore a few days ago. Anomalies in the District Hospital here would be set right, he said.

Pre-budget proposals

Mr. Bopaiah said he was planning to propose the issues of expediting construction of Sainik School in Kodagu for which the Government had released funds.

He would seek Rs. 4 crore to develop the district stadium, start more junior colleges, and to take permanent steps to curb the elephant menace in Kodagu, among other issues.

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