MESCOM COMES UNDER ATTACK;

Madikeri January 18, 2006

MLA K.G.Boapaiah lamented against the MESCOM and forest departments and said that they are blocking the development of rural areas.

Presiding over the Taluk panchayath development review meeting yesterday, he went hammer and tongs against the two departments. He went wild, as MESCOM did not provide power to drinking water projects in four villages with an excuse that the GPs failed to deposit rupees fifty thousand each. He lamented that the GPs need not pay any deposit as per the present rule and power should be provided within a week.

MLA directed officer concerned to issue notice to forest and other department officials who were absent in the meeting. He alleged that the forest department is blocking road works etc with mean excuses causing inconvenience to villagers. He sought explanation from officials about the huge tree-cutting haul reported at karike forest range, directly under the nose of officials. Officials said that the trees are seized and case is booked against two culprits.

They were criticized for stopping busses to remote villages like Dabbadka stating that they ply through forest area. Solar fencing, construction of Anganavadi in an inferior manner at bettageri and many other hitches in the developmental works in the taluk were dealt in the meeting. Executive officer Monappa and other officials were present.

PEOPLE PROTEST POWER FLUCTUATION;’

Residents of Murnad and nearby villagers yesterday gheraoed MESCOM office and protested against bad service.

An ultimatum of one week was served to rectify power cuts, low oltage and to replace an old transformer at Hoddur village.

People also charged that mistakes often occur even in billing.

Picture: People protesting