Chief Minister announces 50 crore for roads in Kodagu
The budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was sweet and sour for the people of Kodagu. Barring Rs 50 crore for the development of district roads and promotion of tourism, the CM has not announced any major programmes to the district.
The CM had announced Rs 50 crore for the development of roads in the last budget. However, the work had not commenced so far.
There is no reference to promotion of tourism in Kodagu district in the budget. However, the CM has proposed to set up Kaveri Tourism Authority including Kodagu, Mandya, Chamarajanagara and Mysore districts.
The budget did not make reference to the allocation of funds. It has also promised to develop Raja Seat in Madikeri. However, did not speak on budgetary allocation. As the land records are not in tact in many districts including that of Kodagu, the budget has proposed to conduct a survey.
In the first phase, survey will be conducted in five districts and in the second phase, it will be taken up in 25 districts. With this, the problems pertaining to land records is likely to be solved. The CM has promised to hold revenue adalat at hobli-level to rectify mistakes in the land documents. If it is implemented effectively, then it will prevent from people running from pillar to post to set right the documents.
Rs.212 crores for construction of barricades to prevent man-animal conflict will help in checking elephant menace in Kodagu district. The compensation amount for the loss of cattle following the attack of wild animals has been increased o Rs 6,000. With the budget announcing 50 per cent financial assistance for the installing solar fence, the problem on wild animal menace could be solved to some extent.
Inspite of river Cauvery originating in Kodagu district, the people in the district face acute shortage of water during peak summer. However, the government has failed to chalk out a programme to mitigate water crisis by optimum utilisation of available water from river Cauvery, said the public.
Every year the government spends crores on Krishna, Bhadra and Thunga irrigation projects. However, the government has failed to give priority to Kodagu district, said another citizen. The budget did not mention on aerodrome at Koodige and medical college to Kodagu.
K H Mohammed Ali said that the funds announced in the budget should be released to take up the project. It is a welcome move to earmark Rs 50 crore to repair roads in the district.
Sajan Poonaccha said “as the MLAs are from the BJP, we may not get enough funds to take up development work. The thrust on tourism will help in generating employment.”
Chikmagalur
The Congress leaders termed the budget as pro-development and the members of other political parties said that it was disappointing.
DCC President Dr D L Vijaykumar said that the CM has given emphasis to development of Bangalore as well as rural areas. Without levying any new taxes, the budget has checked the burden on commonman.
BJP district President D N Jeevraj said “the budget is disappointing. It has failed to solve the problems faced by arecanut growers. The burning issues of Chikmagalur district did not find any place in the budget. The district has been totally neglected,” he said and added that the proposal on milk dairy, medical and engineering colleges have not been included.
“The budget is anti-labour and anti-dalit. Keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, schemes have been announced in the budget. It has not earmarked funds for completing irrigation projects,” said JD(S) leader H H Devaraj.
Anganwadi Workers State Federation General Secretary Radha Sundaresh has welcomed the decision to hike honorarium paid to the anganwadi workers. It is victory to our long pending demand.