Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah assures committee will look into C & D land category issue

Madikeri: A committee will be formed to look into the issue of C and D category land which is still being cultivated by farmers, despite being declared 'not fit for cultivation'. The farmers need not fear this development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified.

While action will be taken as per the report by the committee and work towards imposing stern regulations on microfinance is in progress, those from poor and middle classes need not worry, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the overbridge at Bhagamandala in the taluk on Friday.

“People have changed the narrative of Kodagu being the strong fortress of BJP by electing MLAs from Congress in both the constituencies of Kodagu. Rest assured, the issues in the districts will see the real solutions,” he added. He stated that one should not disturb harmony in society and Congress has always been encouraging brotherhood.

The CM also promised the release of funds for the development of roads in the district.

Special prayers

Visiting Bhagandeshwara and Talacauvery temples, Siddaramaiah offered special prayers.

Kodagu district in-charge minister N S Boseraju, Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal advisor A S Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda, Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja and others were also present.

‘Central government deaf towards state’s pleas’

Speaking to mediapersons at Bhagamandala, CM Siddaramaiah said that the state government has been making constant efforts to get the rightful share of its contribution of tax revenue but the Central Government is acting 'deaf'.

“I never said Karnataka does not expect anything from the Union Budget. What I said was these expectations are never met. We are in a federal structure and pay taxes to the Centre. Along with MLAs, ministers and MPs from Congress, a protest was held in Delhi against the reduced allocation of grants by the Centre to the state,” Siddaramaiah said.

Even though a Rs 5,300 crore grant was announced in the Union Budget towards the Upper Bhadra project earlier, not even a single rupee has been released so far, the CM pointed out.

‘Land to homeless; control of wild animal-human conflict’

Speaking to the reporters at Kaveri High School Playground in Bhagamandala earlier, Siddaramaiah said measures were being taken towards allocation of lands to the homeless and better control of animal-human conflict in the district.

Responding to a query by the Opposition by the landless the government move to handover land to encroachers on a contract basis, the CM said that not only the homeless but also the landless will be allocated property.

On the subject of tragic encounters between wild animals and locals, he said, “there has been an increase in the population of elephants and leopards in Karnataka. Animals come to human habitats in search of food and water. Railway barricades are being constructed to prevent the same. All possible measures will be taken to avoid wild animal-human conflict.”

To another query, the CM said that a committee has been formed to look into the cleanliness of River Cauvery but it has not yet submitted its report. Action will be initiated as per the report, he added.