Plea to CM to solve burning issues of dist

Addressing a press meet, he said that the lift irrigation schemes of Karagada, Hebbe and Malalur were not being implemented. “People are apprehensive over government’s proposal of Bhadra Upper Canal project while arecanut growers are in distress due to yellow leaf diease,” he said and urged the government to find solution to the problems of farmers.

Though the governor had directed the authorities to commission the Rs 3.80 crore Karagada Water Scheme, work has not been started due to substandard pipeline work, Amjad pointed out. The problem of water shortage in about 60 villages could have been solved if the scheme was made functional, he added.

MLA had promised that a boating centre will be developed at Basavanahalli Lake by spending Rs 3.50 crore. However, the work has not been completed so far, he said. It was announced that Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Kadur - Mangalore Road. But the work has not been started yet, he added.

All economic activities are in a standstill due to the delay in the Kadur - Chikmagalur Railway development works. Government should take initiative to expedite the works, he urged.

Arecanut is being grown in about 60,000 acres of land in Malnad. However, 60 per cent of the crop are infected with yellow leaf disease. Similarly, excessive rains also have destroyed crops in the region, he said adding that the government should provide compensation to the farmers.

The Malalur Lift Irrigation Scheme of Rs 2.52 crore, which was started with an aim to provide water to about 1,200 acres of land, is still not functional. Though MLA had assured the completion of work in 2007, it has not been materialised so far, he said.
Raitha Sangha leaders Gurushanthappa, Ravish, Basappa, Chandregowda and Shivanandaswamy were present.

DH News Service