DISTRICT GEARING UP FOR GRAM PANCHAYATH ELECTIONS

Madikeri march 13

Heat and dust is being raised in political circles to choose candidates for Gram panchayath elections to be held shortly. The term of the present Panchayath committees will come to close this month and the district administration is eying at the dates to be fixed for the elections.

Political activities are seen in all levels, starting from villages. About 96 Gram Panchayaths will go in for polls while Gonicoppa and Ponnampet Gram Pachayaths will continue for another one year. Election for the Gram pacnchayths were last held during 2005 February. Gonicoppa and Ponnampet Gram panchayaths were formed during 1996 as they were converted from Mandal status.

About 3, 21,599 voters will cast their vote to select 1213 winners in 96 Gram Panchayaths.

Siddapur is the biggest Gram panchayath in Kodagu with about 24 members whilenapoklu and betoli stand second with 21 members each. Makkandur and Garvale gram Panchayaths are the smallest with only seven members.

The district administration has conducted few rounds of meetings to gear up for the elections. 438 polling booths are identified in the district and about two thousand government staff would be pressed for election duty. Madikeri taluk has 112 booths, Virajpet has 159 and Somwarpet has 167 booths.

Police are also reviewing the situations and preparing the list of sensitive and super sensitive regions.

TWO FROM KODAGU TO GET EKALAVYA

TWO from Kodagu will get the prestigious Ekalavya award being given by the state government.

Badminton champion Machimanda Aswini Ponnappa of Kavadi village and athlete Machettira R.Poovamma will eceive the award along with fifteen others.

The award includes a cash of rupees fifty thousand and honour. It will be distributed at rajbhavan on April 10th in the presence of the Governor and chief minister.