Zilla panchayat members warn of protest outside DC's office

15-day deadline to dist admin to open goshalas in wake of drought

Cutting across party affiliations, zilla panchayat members on Tuesday resolved to stage protest outside the deputy commissioner’s office, if the district administration fails to open goshalas within 15 days.

Participating in the general meeting held here, the zilla panchayat members—who have been facing the heat of drought from farmers—set a deadline of fortnight for the district administration. What had added to their ire was the reportedly slow response to the situation, when drought-hit districts like Hassan, Chitradurga and Tumakuru have already taken a lead in this regard.

The zilla panchayat members were not ready to buy the argument when the officials attached to department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry tried to clear the air saying that foot-and-mouth disease has been noticed in cattle at goshalas at Arsikere in Hassan district, thus delaying the same in Chikkamagaluru. The members found the explanation too early to surmise on, when goshalas are yet to be opened in the district.

Zilla panchayat member from Congress Mahesh Wadiyar said the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary and Revenue departments should work in tandem, as the latter is trying to shirk its responsibilities.

Member Shivanand said the lakes in and around NR Pura have already dried with animal and birds alike looking towards villages for food. The Forest department should take up the job of ensuring adequate water, he urged.

Another member Shivashankar wanted Sringeri taluk to be declared drought-hit, as the water level at Thunga river is fast depleting.  Zilla panchayat vice president Ramaswamy took the Mescom engineers to task for delaying installation of transformers for public purpose.

Member Chandramma said the funds meant for dedicated taskforce headed by MLA on drinking water is being misused. The borewells are being drilled, keeping the MLA in dark. At some places, the borewells are being drilled in private lands.

One of the members Kavitha Lingaraj said that women members were not invited for recently held International Women’s Day. Taking note of the mistake, deputy director of department of Women and Child Development Basavarajaiah promised to follow the protocol henceforth.

When the joint director of Agriculture department M C Seetha initially claimed innocence on specific reasons behind rejecting applications seeking relief for farmers death in 21 cases, she was forced to produce relevant information. Seetha who went back to her office and returned with the details, was taken to task by Zilla panchayat president Chaitrashri Malathesh.

Chaitrashri was irked that the officer had come to the meeting unprepared.
DH News Service