ADVANI ENDS HOLIDAY; HEADS FOR DELHI

Madikeri June 28

Opposition leader and BJP leader L.K.Advani left Kodagu yesterday.

Ending his five day holiday with a smile, Advani told scribes that Kodagu is found in the world tourism map. He appreciated the environment and said that it is one of the best tourist spots for relaxation.

Advani stayed in a resort for five days with his wife kamala, daughter Anupama, and son and daughter in-law. His daughter stated that Kodagu is beautiful, but they missed the monsoon.

Advani left for Bangalore in a car as helicopter could not land due to heavy mist. Deputy Commissoner Ashwathnarayan Gowda, assistant commissioner Akram pasha, SP in charge, J.D.Prakash , MLA Appachu Ranjan and other BJP leaders were present during his departure.

Meanwhile, the chief minister Yediturappa, who was supposed pay an unofficial visit to meet Advani in Kodagu was cancelled.

Photo: Advani leaving Kodagu

MINISTER ILL

Minister for Small savings, lottery and Library, Shivanagowda Nayak is reportedly ill and is undergoing herbal treatment at a resort at Kushalnagar.

According to the sources, nayak arrived in kodagu to meet BJP leader L.K.Advani and fell ill mid way. He is given oil massage for joint pain.

The information department however had received an official programme of the minister which turns into private.

DCC BANK RECEIVES 22 NOMINATION PAPERS

About twenty two candidates remain in the fray to fight for the eleven posts of directors for the DCC bank.

The election scheduled for the third July has created much heat and dust with BJP going full hog to snatch power from the hands of JDs. DCC bank has the strong backing of MLC M.C.nanaiah and MLAs K.G.Bopaiah and Appachu ranjan are trying to change the hands in this election and fielded BJP candidates. BJP tried to bring a stay against the voting power of Grain banks and JDs succeeded in getting it quashed.

About thirty nomination papers were submitted earlier and six persons withdraw from contesting.

PADDY, CARDAMOM FARMING BADLY HIT; MONSOON JOLTS HOPES OF FARMERS;

Madikeri June 29, As monsoon sends waves of shock, farmers in Kodagu are in distress and dismay.

Paddy seeds supplied by the agriculture department await rainfall to be made use off. The cardamom seedlings ready for sale in the spices Board remains untouched.

According to the agriculture department, Kodagu has 35000 hectares of paddy field. Madikeri has 8thousand hectares, Somwarpet 11 and Virajpet 16 hectares. Around 2182 farmers have collected about 2471 quintals of paddy seeds from the department at a subsidized rate. The department is worried as cultivation has not begun any where except in negligible, few places where running water was available.

Rainfall is most essential for cardamom and the replantation had to be over by this time. According to the Joint Director of Spice Board, Srinivas Reddy, the agriculturists have not taken a single cardamom seedling from the board as monsoon is yet to catch up. He said that more than one lakh seedling is lying in the yard. He also said that diseases will attack the cardamom if enough water is not received.

The happy news is that Tobacco, Ragi, maize and Ginger cultivation is not hit as they require less water. About 2575 hectares of Tobacco, out of 3000 hectares in Somwarpet taluk is cultivated.

Superintendent of University of agriculture sciences research station, Madikeri, jayara informed that the Intan nursery is yet to be prepared due to weak monsoon. They are finding an alternate source of water as the center produces seed quality paddy. The paddy produced here was used by farmers stationed in Malnad regions as the need is Blast disease free. He said that the Intan needs 135 days for harvesting after sowing. Delay in sowing will have repercussion as harvest falls during winter. Pollination will not take place during winter as mist covers the paddy fields.

The agriculture department has said that they will have in store short term paddy seeds to assist the farmers who may begin sowing with a delay.

The Coffee Board deputy Director Rangaswamy told this correspondent that as of now, there is no threat for coffee crop. The seeds withstand less rainfall.

Photo: Cauvery flowing thin in Bhagamndala