Samiti threatens to intensify agitation

The Kadaba Taluk Rachana Horata Samiti has threatened to intensify its agitation, if the State government did not take steps to declare Kadaba as a taluk.

The five-decade-old demand of Kadaba people of getting taluk status has still not been met by the State government. The demand was first raised way back in 1961.

After D V Sadananda Gowda took charge as the Chief Minister, many thought that Kadaba would become a taluk soon. With the announcement of Kittur as a taluk, the people are disappointed that the name of Kadaba has not been announced so far as a taluk. Those who have been spearheading the demand for the taluk status accuse the government of being partial to a region.

As per the proposal, a new taluk should have 43 villages, i.e., five from Belthangady, 10 from Sullia and 28 from Puttur taluk.

They are Kokkada, Shishila, Hathyadka, Shibaje and Rekhya of the present Belthangady taluk; Edamangala, Enmuru, Aivattoklu, Manjattady, Kutkunja, Kenya, Balpa, Enekallu, Ainekidu and Subrahmanya of Sullia taluk; Bajattur, Golitottu, Konalu, Kaukradi, Nellyadi, Alanthaya, Ramakunja, Koila, Alankar, Halenerenki, Perabe, Kunthoor, Ballya, Ichlampadi, Dolpadi, Noojibalthila, Renjiladi, Kutrupadi, Kadaba, Kodimbala, Nekkiladi, Bantra, Bilinele, Aithur, Siribagilu, Konaje and Shiradi of Puttur taluk.

The B M Hundekar taluk reorganisation committee, in its recommendations made in 1985, had suggested that Kadaba be made a taluk.

Later, Gaddigowdar Committee too had recommended the same. In 1988, Revenue Minister S R Bommai had received the reports and had revealed that Kadaba was in the list of taluks.  

Interestingly, the government had appointed a special tahsildar for Kadaba in 2005, but the people did not benefit much due to frequent transfer of the officials. However, later taluk reconstitution committee under the presidentship of M B Prakash did not include Kadaba in its recommendations in 2009.

The people of Kadaba and surrounding areas feel that the existing Puttur taluk is too large, forcing rural people to travel for about 55 km to 60 km to taluk headquarters. For example, Bilinele, which is on the way to Subrahmanya, or Shiradi that is on the way to Sakleshpur, come under Puttur taluk, but the people of these villages find it very difficult to reach the taluk headquarters.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Kadaba Taluk Rachana Horata Samiti President C C Philip said that two committees constituted by the government had recommended to make Kadaba a taluk.

However, M B Prakash had submitted an “unscientific report” to the government, by dropping Kadaba. The government should consider the reports submitted by B M Hundekar and Gaddigowdar and give taluk status to Kadaba.

“If the demand is not met, then Taluk Rachana Horata Samiti will intensify the protest,” C C Philip added.