Taluk status for Sargur demanded

 Ex-MLA M Shivanna slammed government for not including Sargur in the announced list of new taluks, separating it from H D Kote taluk in the budget presented recently.

Speaking at a press meet here on Monday, he said, the struggle urging taluk headquarters for Sargur has not been a new one, but exists since two decades. Hundekar Committee in 1984 and D C Gaddigowdar Committee in 1986 had submitted reports recommending taluk headquarters for Sargur.

That apart, he added, M B Prakash Gowda committee also submitted similar report in 2008, but BJP government has not considered the suggestion. He alleged that Sargur was not considered for taluk due to politically motivated intentions. “Chief minister Jagadish Shettar has proposed the new taluks eyeing on coming elections and not seriously considering the necessity,” he further alleged.

Shivanna mentioned that the total area of H D Kote taluk is 1,94,138 hectare and residents of remote villages have to travel nearly 100 kms to reach it.

Though the town has all qualities to be considered for taluk, it has not been done till now. Sargur has APMC, police station, PWD guesthouse, Nada Kacheri and all other government offices.

He observed that forming Sargur taluk will even benefit administration procedures.
Sarguru Taluk Kendra Horata Samiti president Padma Prasad mentioned that the samiti was formed in 1996 to press government about the need of taluk headquarters for Sargur. He said, the CM has purposely dropped the name of Sargur in the budget. The H D Kote taluk presently consists of 300 villages among which 150 are in Sargur region.

Prasad noted that nearly 100 villages will be benefitted if Sargur is made the taluk. residents of many villages have to travel very long which consumes a day to reach H D Kote and by the time they reach, government offices will be closed.

He clarified that only taluk division is requested and not any assembly constituency. “Formation of Sargur taluk will benefit large mass,” he added.

He cited that from Mysore region only Sargur was recommended for taluk but still it has not been considered while Bijapur alone has been gifted with four new taluks.
He said that a mammoth rally and protest will be conducted on February 12 urging for taluk formation.

More than ten thousand people will participate supporting the demand along with all organisations of Sargur and other villages. “Seers of Ankipura, Dadadalli, Moodlumata, Padaval and other mutts have also confirmed participation,” he added.

Prasad pointed out that at 9 am all government offices at Sargur will be locked up by protestors to attract attention of government and later from 12 pm to 2 pm state highway of Mysore-Manandavadi road will be blocked near Handpost. 

Youth leader Mallikarjun warned authorities of intensified protest if government turns a deaf ear on the requests.

Boregowda and others of Sargur were present.