Akki Santhe, a publicity stunt, allege JD(S) leader

The JD(S) has alleged BJP of organising Akki Santhe (rice fair) only to gain political mileage and publicity.

Addressing a press conference, JD(S) District Working President S L Bojegowda said that injustice has been meted out to poor because the programme was organised without keeping sufficient stock. Due to this hundreds of BPL families had to return without rice.

“The MLA, who was in the town did not visit the spot, even when BPL family members were holding protest,” he charged.

“It was the Central government which introduced the scheme based on the Supreme Court’s direction. However, the BJP government is trying to gain political mileage by implementing it in the State with a new name,” Bojegowda said and warned that the JD(S) will hold protest on December 3, if rice is not distributed among BPL families in the district. Officials should collect information regarding BPL families in the district and make arrangements to distribute rice before December 3, he added.

“The rice meant for distribution among the poor in the Akki Santhe might have been sold in the black market,” he said and demanded that an inquiry be conducted into the issue.

Rain loss

Talking about the rain damages in the district, Bojegowda said that property and crops worth crores were destroyed in the district. However, the government did not take initiatives to distribute compensation. Revenue officials, BJP District President and MLAs had met Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to explain the woes of farmers in the district. However, not even a single penny was released by the government so far, he criticised.

Land scams

Bojegowda said that several land scams took place in Chikmagalur district too. “Documents regarding land scams in the district will be released to media in Bangalore within three days,” he added.

Bojegowda urged that an inquiry should be conducted into the issue of encroachment of Doddakere tank in Chikkamagaravalli village near Aldur.

The tank, which spreads across more than 12 acres, has shrunk to five acres. The remaining part of the tank has been encroached, he said adding that the truth will come to light only if a survey was conducted. MLA C T Ravi’s house is located near the tank.

Hence, the MLA should take the issue seriously and direct the officials to conduct an inquiry, Bojegowda urged.

He said that the government has leased 78 acres of Gomala land to a private food company for 30 years in the village. However, the company has not started functioning so far, he said and urged the district administration to take back the land.