Minister assures permanent solution to elephant menace

District In-charge Minister K Gopalaiah assured that he will take a delegation, including MLAs, former MLAs, planters and others, to Delhi, seeking a permanent solution for the wild elephant menace in the region.

Addressing a gathering of ‘Coffee Krishi Mela’ and Coffee Growers’ Association annual meeting here, on Saturday, the minister said that he will take the delegation after the bypolls scheduled for April 17.

Forest Minister Aravinda Limbavali is well aware of the menace and the state government has decided to come up with a permanent solution for the menace.

“Thus, the delegation will approach the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Prakash Javadekar. We will also try to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Gopalaiah said.

He said that he will urge Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda to offer subsidy to chemical fertilisers as the prices have gone up. “There are plans to adopt Kerala model to resolve the issue of encroachment of lands,” he said.

MLA H K Kumaraswamy said, “Sakleshpur taluk suffered 90% damages of properties due to floods, but more compensation was given to Hassan and other taluks. It is injustice and cannot be tolerated.”

Former MLA H M Vishwanath said, “The government should announce a special grant of Rs 150 crore, under Yetthinahole Drinking Water Project, for the development of basic infrastructure in Sakleshpur taluk.”

Coffee Board Chairman M S Bojegowda and State Coffee Growers’ Okkutta president H T Mohan Kumar were present.