Hotel coming up near Kuvempu monument

Tranquility is at stake near the residence-turned-monument of poet laureate Kuvempu (Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa) at Kuppalli in Tirthahalli taluk.

A member of the poet’s family has begun work on construction of a hotel on a site close to the monument, allegedly violating the rules.

A heap of stones have been dumped on the land meant for parking tourist vehicles. More than 300 tourists, including students  from various parts of the State visit the monument every day.

The State government has handed over 15 acres of land in and around Kuppalli and 3.5 acres at Gadikal near Kuppalli to Rastrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana.

Besides, the government gave cash and land as compensation to two member’s of Kuvempu’s family who were residing in the house. The remaining land has been identified as grama thana land, sources said.

Devangi Gram Panchayat had passed a resolution six months ago asking the taluk administration to not grant permission for construction of a commercial complex at Kuppalli.

But the Gram Panchayat has approved the proposed project, flouting the norms of land conversion, the sources alleged. Eight to ten acres are identified as grama thana land.

But, a survey has not yet been conducted, said Kadidal Prakash, assistant secretary of the Pratishtana.

Chairperson Nagarajaiah has asked Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa, who is also the district in-charge minister, to hand over the grama thana land to the Pratishtana after the survey.