15 ARRESTED FOR TRESSPASSING

Madikeri Dec.5 A team of 15 persons including the VIPs were arrested on charges of tresspassing into the Reserve Forest area for the purpose of mining precious stones. Although the VIPs defend themselves showing the permission from the mining department on the basis of Assistant director of land records report, the forest officials rejected them and have booked the case against the 15 persons and sent them to judical custody. According to the Assisitant consrvator of Forests Mr. K.Laxman, the accused have obtained permission for mining in the Paisari land, but they have misused the order by tresspassing into the Reserve Forest area. The accused persons entered Pattighat reserve forest area belong to Bhagandala Forest Range, This forest is also considered as the main catchment area for the lively river Cauvery.The Thannimani and Bhaagamndala villagers have protested against mining in the reserve forest area and they forcibly stopped the forest vehicles and demanded the arrest of the accused.

The leader of the team Sardar, a tailor from Madikeri,his son Sife ,the ex Town Municipal vice president Liyakath Ali, the Ex. Madikeri urban development Authority Chairman Muneer Ahmad, and others were arrested by the foresrt officials.

NEGLECTED CAPITOL TOWN

Madikeri Dec,5 Madikeri, the capitol town is being completely neglected in respect of development works. The pot holes in the town , make even difficult for the paedestrians to walk. Many projects including the drinking water schemes have became standstill due to the absence of the City Miuniciapal council administration. The Govt. is least bothered to vacate the stay in the high court for conducting the President-Vicepresident elections to all the Citiy Miunicpal councils in the state.The election was stayed through writ petitions by some civilians.

Since 6 months, the administration is run by the HeadQuarters Assitant to the Deputy commisiioner who has been appointed as the administrator by the Govt. The officials fear to take any decision regarding the development work .They dont want to face if any allegations made against them by the concerned CMC members during the progressive works. Without the consent of the whole committee they fear the imbalance, which may cause consequences by the elected Councillors.

Rs. 20 lakh was released during the previous CMC administration under the 11th fanance commission schemes for taking up some important development works in Madikeri Town.Rs. 32 lakh extra grant is also pending to be utilised. Special amount of Rs.10 lakh was released for the Pot holes closure., which is being shown in records without utilisation...Out ofRs. 1.56 crore for the reconstruction of CMC administrative office already Rs. 55 lakh is released, but no progress till the day.For the improvement to water supply in the town Rs. 1.16 crore was released.Only 50% of the work is being done and the remaining work is being stopped.

The Madikeri Town , in the recent days attracting plenty number of tourists.The town will be busy due to the floating popu population.but, the maintenenace of town has become worst, The road repairs are being neglected. Some footpath works are incompte. Drainage work is not being done. The local weather conditions allow just 4 months time for all these works due to heavy and early rainfalls in the town.The leaders including the local MLA have botheration over the issue to force and demand the immediate solvaion to the problem.

PHOTO : OVERVIEW OF THE CMC OFFICE, MADIKERI