CONGRESS BIGWIGS SIT ON DHARNA;

Madikeri February 22, 2007

The congress bigwigs yesterday sat on a dharna and demanded Cauvery water to Madikeri.

Former ministers T.John, M.M.Nanaiah, KPCC general secretary Mittu Chengappa , DCC president Veena Achaiah and members squatted in Fort premises in front of the Deputy Commissioners office and urged to draw drinking water to Madikeri from Bethri – Cauvery river.

M.M.Nanaiah lambasted the people’s representatives and district administration and said that the Bethri project mooted by Congress government three years ago is ignored by them. He said that the project was planned to provide drinking water to madikeri keeping in mind future fifty years. He urged the government to implement the project immediately by not wasting time on other unscientific projects.

Mittu Chengappa and T.John said that they will organize protest before Vidhana soudha if the project is delayed. They opined that Bethri is the only project which can solve the drinking water problem to Madikeri.

The congress organized protest as the City Municipal Council has taken up another drinking water project which, according to them will not quench the thirst of all the residents of Madikeri.

Block congress president K.M.B.Ganesh presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. The memorandum states that the CMC had approved a rupees 19.5 crore project during last year in its meeting and nothing was done so far to implement it. The chief minister was urged to look into the matter.

Picture: Congress protest

CM INVITES ROBIN

Chief Minister Kumar Swamy invited cricketer Robin Uthappa to his residence for break fast yesterday at Bangalore.

Snooker player Pankaj adwani, Robins father Venu Uthappa, MLC Arun Machaiah, Mollera P.Ganesh and Ratan ingh of Para Olympics were present during the occasion.

Chief Minister wished Robin best of luck for the next world cup he is going to play.

DC INSPECTS KOOTUPOLE;

The deputy commissioner visited Kootupole reservoir yesterday and inspected the situation.

Kootupole is the main source of drinking water to Madikeri, situated ten kilometers away from town. Lots of water is being wasted in the reservoir due to leakage. The deputy commissioner visited the spot to find possibilities of blocking the leakage.

The deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav stated that a protection wall would be built to collect the leaking water and it will be pumped to the supply area. He opined that the inflow of water to the reservoir is satisfactory and water shortage will not occur if it is managed well. He said that the supply would be done on daily basis after the renovation. Presently, Madikeri is receiving water only once in two days.

Meanwhile, CMC commissioner Raya informed press that stray dogs are being held and killed by the CMC in town. He appealed people to acquire licence to the dogs and keep the dogs inside the premises. Owners of the cows are also cautioned of auctioning. The stray cows would be seized and auctioned in a week’s time if no claim was made.

Photo: DC inspecting Kootupole