ZP decides to urge govt to release grants

Chikkamagaluru: Zilla Panchayat has decided to submit a request to the state government seeking grants to take up relief works in areas which are affected by the recent heavy rain and lack of rain in the district.

A decision to this effect was taken at a general meeting of the Zilla Panchayat here.

The meeting decided to take a delegation to the government with the local MLAs.

Member Ramaswamy Shettigadde urged the Zilla Panchayat to prevail upon the government to announce a special package for rain-affected areas in Malnad region which has received excess rain. Roads, bridges, houses and crops been affected a lot by the heavy rain, he said.

Member Shilpa Ravi said Sringeri taluk is bearing the brunt of the heavy rain. Crops have been hit by the rain badly, she added.

Shamanna Banakal said a land slide in Chanahadlu village has affected the movement of vehicles. Students cannot even go to school, he said.

K R Prabhakar said about 250 electricity poles have fallen following rain in Kalasa area. Some houses have collapsed and roads are damaged, he said.

Raveendra Belavadi said Lakya in Chikkamagaluru taluk, Ambale hobli and in some parts of Kadur taluk have not received rain. The Zilla Panchayat should urge the government to declare these areas as drought-hit areas, he demanded.

Mahesh Odeyar said water is being supplied through tankers in 14 villages in Kadur taluk.

Sharath Krishnamurthy said Madagada Lake breached and is overflowing. The Minor Irrigation Department should take measures to utilise the overflowing water, he added.

He also sought information on investigation taken up in connection with the alleged irregularities in job card printing of the employment guarantee scheme.

Mudigere MLA M P Kumaraswamy sought comprehensive information on grants required to solve the problems. Based on the information, the government will be urged to release the grants, he added.

Zilla Panchayat CEO C Sathyabhama, legislators D S Suresh, K S Prakash, Standing Committee chiefs Jasantha Anil Kumar, K H Mahendra and Hirigaiah were present.