KARNATAKA TO DEVELOP KODAGU

Madikeri April 9, 2007

State government is keen to develop Kodagu and many schemes and projects are before the government to address the issues, said district in charge minister Ramachandra Gowda.

Addressing the Merchants day yesterday evening at Gonicoppal, Ramachandra Gowda stated that the government has chalked out many schemes to encourage planters and agriculturists. He said that rupees five crore is sanctionedto rejuvenate orange growers society at Gonicoppa on the request made by MLC Arun Machaiah.

He also said that Kodagu will get Railway link and a mini airport.

The Deputy Commissioner is instructed to identify places at Kushalnagar, he disclosed. Agriculture crops like coffee and cardamom could be easily transported through railways, he said.

MLA K.G.Bopaiah spoke on the occasion and said that merchants are the first to get hit during bandh and any other protests. Agitations would be deemed as success only when the merchants down their shutters, he said.

MLC Arun Machaiah stated that state exchequer receives rupees 16,980 crore, i.e. 63% of the total tax from merchants.

People are paying 24 types of taxes in all, he explained. Recalling that how government erased tax on coffee and levied 4% tax only on coffee powder, he said that a request is placed before the government to erase tax on fruit products.

Machaiah stated that developing tourism in Kodagu will develop the staus of merchant class.

Chamber of Commerce president Girish Ganapathy presided over. State federation of Chamber and industries, Shivashanmugam, Past presidents M.B.Devaiah, G.rajendra, M.K.Nanjappa, Anand Shetty and others were present.

ANTI RABBIES CAMP AT SOMWARPET;

Around 498 dogs were administered anti rabbies injection at Somwarpet yesterday.

In a mega camp conducted by Janadwani vedike of Somwarpet, domestic dogs, including the stray ones were treated by a band of doctors.

Addressing the valedictory function, tahasildar P.Vasanth Kumar appreciated the organisers and said that they have taken up the work which should have done by the government. Many doctors from the district and outside took part in the day long camp.