Rs.216 LOAN FOR FARMERS;

Madikeri July 12, 2006

The Mysore divisional Commissioner Srikanth disclosed that the government has earmarked a loan of rupees 216 crores for the development of agriculture in Kodagu.

Srikanth was talking to this correspondent here yesterday during his visit after holding a district level officers meet. He said that the district administration is instructed to come to the rescue of agriculturists immediately, if they get affected by flood or any other calamities. The administration was also advised to monitor the agriculture activities and provide agriculturists with the best of ceeds, manure and pesticides to increase production.

He said that the tahasildars are given rupees twenty lakh each to use it during calamities. The Deputy Commissioner also has cash to use during emergencies, he said.

Srikanth, later visited the spot where the landslide claimed six lives. He instructed the district administration to provide shelter and education to the surviving girl, who was saved even after a fall from about three hundred feet. He also met another surviving member Kitti Poojary and assured medical facilities.

Meanwhile, former minister T.John also visited the spot and provided the victims financial help.

TWO GET LIFER;

The district and sessions court here has slapped lifer to two on charges of kidnapping and murder.

According to the case, N.C.Bopanna and M.C.Ratish of Shirangalli near Madapur hired a taxi from Mysore and murdered the driver M.Ramanna here during 2000.

The duo strangled the driver to death and threw the body inside the forest. Police recovered a decomposed body and began investigation.

The duo dismantled the car and sold the parts at Mysore.

Slapping lifer to both, the accused are also fined rupees two thousand each.

RASTA ROKHO;

Residents living in a cluster of villages near Virajpet yesterday held rasta rokho to demand bus service.

Protestors blocked vehicles at Balugodu – Kudimakki junction for more than one hour and disrupted traffic between Kodagu and Kerala. They complained that the busses are not stopping in their area and students and public are suffering due to lack of transportation.

Tahasildar Lalanki Ravi arrived at the spot and assured the protestors of action and the protest was called off.