Taluk status to Kalasa: delegation to meet chief minister on Mar 20

MLA Ningaiah peeved over 40-year-old demand for new taluk missing in recent budget

 MLA B B Ningaiah has decided to take a delegation to the chief minister on March 20 as Kalasa has not been included in the list of new taluks announced in the budget by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Addressing mediapersons here on Friday, Ningaiah, a Janata Dal (Secular) legislator, said people in the district have been demanding for taluk status for Kalasa from the past 40 years as those in the vicinity (of Kalasa) have to travel 100 km up to Mudigere taluk to get their works done. The then Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had promised in this regard, but in vain, he charged.

Ningaiah said a delegation of prominent leaders from the district will be taken to  the chief minister,  besides calling on Home Minister G Parameshwara who also the district in-charge minister and revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa.

Ningaiah who termed budget as the manifesto for next general elections, called it as unfair when the farming community is in distress in the wake of drought.

The farmers are peeved over not waiving crop loans. Instead, people have been burdened with loans, while Congress party claims it to be bigger than the previous years and also savings budget.
However, Ningaiah welcomed sanctioning of a medical college, an air strip, grants for Karagada irrigation project, ITI colleges among others as announced in the budget.

Report on Western Ghats

Adding voice to growing unrest against the re-issuing of draft notification on Western Ghats following the recommendations of Kasturirangan Committee report, Ningaiah fretted over the possibilities of villagers from 147 villages pushed to the brink of uncertainty, for coming under eco-sensitive areas.

If it becomes a reality, development will become a mirage, he said calling for some stringent measures on the part of the state government to exhort the Centre to review it.

He suggested for taking a delegation of MPs from the State to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.

Ningaiah also clarified that he does not have any role behind the case involving MLC Motamma, now in dock over encroaching upon 20 acres of government land. He cautioned Motamma against letting loose her tongue, before issuing any statements, without applying her mind.

Rogue elephant

He also claimed to have sought information on the veracity behind the rogue elephant that has been caught for creating havoc in the forest near Mudigere, as there are complaints over forest department personnel trapping a different elephant.