'No objection for Gen Thimmaiah memorial'

He was talking to reporters here on Saturday on the sidelines the 63rd Independence Day celebrations organised by the district administration.

“The Finance Department has released only Rs 40 lakh for the construction of the RTO office being built on the Abbi Falls road with a budget of Rs 2 crore. A sum of Rs 1.60 crore is yet to be released. If the present RTO office becomes a hurdle in developing the Thimmaiah Memorial, the government is ready to shift it. The issue will be discussed with the Kannada and Culture Department and the Finance Department,” he said.

“I would have sorted out the problem if the convener of the memorial had consulted me, but nobody brought the issue to my notice till date. It is a simple problem that can be solved within an hour if the Kannada and Culture Department and the Transport Department officials sit together,” Ashok said.

He termed the separation of KSRTC Kodagu unit from Mangalore and its reunion with Mysore division as a good development. “The Mysore division is in profit now. The department will be getting funds under the National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) also. Hence Kodagu will get additional grants to have new bus stand and depot. The existing problems will be solved,” he added.

Rs 1.2 cr for concreting

Kodagu district is going to get more funds in the forthcoming budget. Priority will also be given for the establishment of a hi-tech bus stand. A sum of Rs 1.2 crore proposal has been approved for the concreting of the KSRTC bus stand. Besides, the Madikeri depot is being upgraded at a cost Rs 50 lakh. Construction of quarters for drivers, drinking water and toilet facilities will be started once the rainy season ends, the minister explained.
Answering a query, he said the government has submitted a proposal to the Centre requesting compensation to the coffee growers affected by heavy rains.

“Compensation has been given to the growers in three hoblis of Chikmagalur district since there was over 50 per cent loss in coffee crops. Proposal has also been sent on giving compensation to the coffee growers in Mysore,” he clarified.

Asked why the compensation fund from the Centre is not being spent completely, Ashok said: “Half of the time is lapsed in getting clarifications from the Centre on their regulations. This problem does not arise if the government releases the entire amount at a time. What is the use in releasing Rs 200 crore when we request for Rs 1,500 crore? Is it fair to ask a thousad page report for a small amount of money released?” he asked.
The BJP district president M P Sunil Subramani said the party would be staging a protest against the price hike policy of the Central government on August 17.

ZP Education and Health Standing Committee Chairman Manu Muttappa, City Municipal Council President P D Ponnappa, ZP member Lokeshwari Gopal, CMC Vice President Latha Bangera were present.

DH News Service