The Hindu : Karnataka News : Kolar Gold Fields to be taluk soon

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Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Kolar Gold Fields to be taluk soon

Staff Correspondent

Lack of claim has divested Vemgal of the opportunity; infrastructure at KGF is an advantage

It still enjoys the status of an Assembly segment
Vemgal too enjoyed the status till the recent delimitation

KOLAR: With the State Government forming the Taluk Reorganisation Committee recently, the long pending task of creating new taluks in the State has been set in motion. The process is likely to help realise the long cherished dream of Kolar Gold Fields (Robertsonpet) area in the district.

Though Vemgal too deserves to become a taluk headquarters, lack of claims on the part of politicians and the people of the region has divested the area of that opportunity, it is said.

While Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) has been seeking taluk status since a long time, Vemgal too was under consideration for the status for some time.

While Kolar Gold Fields still enjoys the status of an Assembly constituency, Vemgal too enjoyed that tag till the recent delimitation process.

The State Government has gone ahead with the formation of the new committee headed by retired IAS officer M.B. Prakash. The geographical vastness of several taluks is being seen as a roadblock in taking the administration and reaching the benefits of various schemes to the people, particularly those dwelling in remote areas.

Vemgal, one of the hobli centres in Kolar taluk, lost the status of Assembly segment in the delimitation process. Since the area of Vemgal and Kyalanur hoblis is vast, it was earlier considered for formation of Vemgal taluk. But the comment of H.K. Shivananda, member of the new committee, is being seen as a setback to the process.

His remark at a meeting sometime ago that a new thought has to be given with regard to formation of Vemgal taluk has caused discomfiture among the public.

“Vemgal lacks required infrastructure to be elevated as a taluk. Hence, there is no chance of forming Vemgal taluk,” zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer F.R. Jamadar, who attended the committee meeting, told The Hindu. “However, the creation of Kolar Gold Fields taluk is a certainty,” he added.

“If the Government is serious in reaching benefits to every village, it should consider the creation of Vemgal taluk,” K.B. Gopalakrishna, advocate and former Senate member of Bangalore University, said.

“A new Vemgal taluk should be carved out to help common man and farmers,” he added.

As MLC V.R. Sudarshan hails from Vemgal region, it is expected of him to mount pressure on the Government to form the new taluk. The issue should be taken up immediately to mobilise public opinion, it is said.

As far as Kolar Gold Fields is concerned, the committee has reportedly shown the green signal for carving out the new taluk.

Infrastructure at Kolar Gold Fields is said to be an advantage for the region to get the taluk status. However, the committee has to submit a final report in this regard to the Government.

Notwithstanding the pending formalities, the developments have strengthened the claims of Kolar Gold Fields for taluk status.

A special tahsildar has been deputed to Kolar Gold Fields. Most of the officers appointed for various departments of Bangarpet taluk, in which Kolar Gold Fields falls, are discharging additional duties at the Kolar Gold Fields offices.

Kolar Gold Fields MLA Y. Sampangi has expressed happiness over the developments.

He promised help to the authorities in this direction, which, according to him, is going to benefit the people of the region.

With the formation of Chickballapur district, out of Kolar district last year, the number of taluks in Kolar district has shrunk from 11 to five. Once Kolar Gold Fields taluk comes into existence, the number will go up to six.

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