Bopaiah stops construction of forest dept guest house

Deputy speaker K G Bopaiah directed officials on Friday to stop the construction work of a new Guest House which is being taken up at Thalacauvery by the Wild Life division of the Forest Department.

After paying visit to the work site, where the Wild Life division of the Forest Department is constructing a new guest house at an estimated cost of Rs 1.17 crore, Bopaiah said that Thalacauvery, which is a religious centre, can never be converted into tourist spot.

He also directed the officials to demolish the foundation, which has already been completed at the site. “At any cost permission will not be granted to construct a guest house, which was taken up by violating all rules,” Bopaiah told mediapersons.

“I have already discussed the issue with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The matter of Forest Department constructing a guest house by ignoring the religious sentiments has been brought to Yeddyurappa’s notice,” he said adding that the chief minister had directed him to stop the work.

“The issue will be taken up seriously. Action will be taken against those Forest Department officials who initiated the guest house construction work by violating rules,” Bopaiah warned adding that a decision on the issue will be taken after the termination of election code of conduct.

Bopaiah directed Forest Department officials not to rent out the old guest house rooms during night to any visitors except officials on duty. He also asked officials to ban non-vegetarian food consumption inside the guest house.  Later Bopaiah directed the police not to allow vehicles, except that of villagers, to Thalacauvery after 6 pm. “All vehicles should be stopped at Bhagamandala itself,” he advised. Forest Conservator Veerendra Singh, Assistant Conservator of Forest Shridhar, Wild Life division zonal officer Raveendra Kumar and Thalacauvery - Bhagamandala Temples Committee President T S Narayanachar were present.