'Solution to Jamma Bane soon'

He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Samaja here. Gowda said: “Last week, I had discussions with Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, MLA Appachu Ranjan and officials of the revenue and forest departments. Issues related to re-ownership will be discussed in the next session and we will try to solve the matter by bringing in an amendment to the Act,” he said.

To develop roads in Kodagu, the State government had released Rs 25 crore as special package two years ago. In last year’s budget, Rs 50 crore was announced. In the next budget too, expected help will be extended, he added.

Gowda said an amount of Rs five crore was released to set up the post-graduation centre of the Mangalore University in Kushalnagar.

An amount of Rs five crore had been provided for the construction of an indoor stadium in Virajpet. An amount of Rs one crore had been given for the development of Arameri Kalanchari Mutt, the chief minister. Special grants would be given to curb attacks by wild elephants, he added.

Reacting to the demand for allotting five acres of land to construct a hospital, school for poor children and old age homes, the chief minister said he would take a decision in the next 15 days. He lauded the Kodavas’ contribution to society, the country’s defence and sports.

In his speech, Bopaiah said resort culture should be discouraged in Kodagu as it brought a bad name for its culture. Bopaiah suggested that old age homes should not be constructed as the concept was against Kodava culture.

M C Nanaiah, MLC, said agriculture land was being converted into homestays and resorts in Kodagu. The government should take a stand and not allow agriculture land to be converted for any other activities. He recommended an annual grant of Rs 100 crore for the development of roads in Kodagu.

Appachu Ranjan, High Court Judge Justice M S Bopanna and president of Kodava Samaja Cheppudira M Subbaiah were present.