‘Announce spl package of Rs 400 cr to Kodagu’

Ahinda Federation President T M Muddaiah has urged Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to announce a special package of Rs 400 crore for the development of roads in Kodagu district.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is scheduled to tour Kodagu district on July 19 and 20.

Speaking to reporters in Madikeri on Tuesday, Muddaiah said heavy rain that lashed the district has taken a toll on roads in the district. At least Rs 400 crore would be required for the development of these roads.

Further, coffee and pepper have been affected by rot disease. The government should conduct a survey to assess the damage and release the compensation for the loss of crops at the earliest, he added.

He said that the import of poor quality of pepper has affected its price in the domestic market. The slash in the price of pepper has affected the growers. The condition of pepper growers will be brought to the notice of the chief minister.

Federation Honourary President Shamshuddin said roads have been damaged in the district. The district administration and the state government should lay new roads, said Shamshuddin.

Several footbridges are on the verge of getting washed away in flood waters in rural areas. Such footbridges should be identified. To check the elephant-man conflict, the Forest Department should plant jackfruit and bamboo trees inside the forest, he added.