NEGLIGENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT: LINEMAN DIED

Madikeri May 19

A lineman who was repairing the line atop a pole was died on the spot when suddenly he was electrocuted due to the negligence of the department. Basavaraju (30) mescom lineman at Shanivarsanthe near Somwarpet who was serving in the department since nine years is now no more.Without thinking of the affect. Some staff in the mescom office switched on the line during repairs resulting in the death of a person.

Enraged public were organised and then attacked the mescom office and destroyed the records, furniture etc; Due to pressure, the assistant Engineer immediately announced Rs. 10 thousand as compensation to the deceased’s family and also assured of recommending for Rs.2.5 lakh from the corporation.

THE LAST BREATH OF KODAGU INDUSTRY CENTRE

Madikeri May 19

Before descending from the power, the previous cabinet took a decision of cutting short of employees in the State Industries and Commerce department. This was done on the basis of the report submitted by the then Harnahalli Ramaswamy commission which was formed to get the information about the excess staff in the Govt. departments. Due to the miscalculations and with vested interests, the state Industrial officers misguided the commission and gave a report saying the Industries and Commerce department has an excess staff of more than 50%.

Depending on the recommendations, the Govt. had decided to give Volunteer retirement to many employees in the department. This has been done. However without thinking the repercussions the order has been implemented in the district levels also. Recently, a few days earlier to the elections the state cabinet had warned the concerned authorities in the district level to depute the maximum staff and the officers who are left in the department to some other departments. The Kodagu District Industries centre has already lost the general manager as he has been demoted and transferred to some other place. Extension officers and others were also deputed to other departments The thaluk Industry offices in the three thaluks in Kodagu were closed and the concerned staff are shifted to district centre and some of them were transferred to some other departments, but without any postings.

Now, the industrialists and entrepreneurs in the district have to strive hard to get the licenses, the transfer of land revenue tenures, renewals, getting of subsidies and in formations. The Kodagu Industrialists and especially the new venturers in the field have started their small-scale industries with the hope of releasing of subsidies by the Govt. But since several months more than Rs. 4 crore subsidy sanctioned had not been released so for. But, in future these small industrialists could not approach for their problems or works easily. Kodagu is most industrially backward district in the state. Due to almost dissolution of the department the enthusiastic youths could not get the minimum guidance at present. Seminars, helping to women entrepreneurs with proper guidances and creating self employment schemes, encouraging 'Sthree Sahaya' groups were efficiently carried through the centre.In future the centre office may become just a 'Booth Bungalow'.