Budget bounty for Chikkamagaluru

The state budget has offered many good schemes for the district, including the upgrading of the district hospital into a super-speciality hospital, rejuvenation of lakes and declaration of Kalasa as a taluk.

Through the budget, the JD(S)-Congress state coalition government has tried its best to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the people of Malnad and plain region.

As much as Rs 100 crore has been announced for filling up of Ayyanakere and Madagadakere and 19 lakes (dry) in Kadur taluk by utilising the excess water available in Hebbe Halla (stream).

A fund of Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for elevating the district hospital into a super-speciality hospital with an aim to provide secondary and tertiary treatment to the people of the district.

The long pending demand to declare Kalasa hobli as taluk has been fulfilled in the budget.

Digital Mammogram and Papsmear scanning facility will be initiated in 10 districts, including Chikkamagaluru, in order to detect breast cancer at the primary level. As much as Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the same.

‘Balamandira’, a transit home for girls will be established in the district.

Chikkamagaluru has also been selected along with 9 other districts for the establishment of separate sports hostel meant for girls. An amount of Rs 15 crore has been earmarked for the same.

Sri Virakta Mutt of B Mallenahalli (Kadur) has been provided a grant of Rs 1 crore.

It has been decided to construct 1,317 mini-bridges under ‘Shala Samparka Sethu’, to facilitate all season connectivity to schools in Malnad and coastal regions.

Zilla Panchayat member S N Ramaswamy said, “Though the budget has failed to announce milk union and grant for medical college, the announcement of Kalasa taluk will benefit the people.”

Advocate Pareekshith said, “I welcome the announcement of Kalasa hobli as a taluk headquarter. However, Balooru and Jaavali villages should not be included in Kalasa taluk. The villages should be part of Mudigere taluk only.”

Former minister B B Ningaiah said, “The four-decade-old demand has been fulfilled with the budget announcing Kalasa taluk. The budget is model as it has given priority to all sectors of the society.”