ZILLA PANCHAYATH OPPOSES DE LIMITATATION ORDER;

Madikeri May 5, 2006

The Zilla Panchayath yesterday passed a resolution opposing de limitation committee report dissolving Somwarpet constituency along with Madikeri and Virajpet.

The meting chaired by president Ashok Kumar discussed the drawbacks of delimitation and decided to oppose the move in totto. The members observed that the district would lose money sanctions and its identity itself.

It was decided to appeal to centre through state government not to consider the recommendation of the Committee favoring de limitation. The meeting suggested that the de limitation committee should consider the geographical status of the district and not the size of the population. Members expressed fear that Kodagu being the smallest district may one day get dissolved with others and people should be prepared to fight for their right in future.

The meeting passed a resolution to appoint a Tahasildar to Hobli center, Kushalnagar.

Member V.P.Shashidar disclosed in the meeting that the Social Forestry department is misusing crores of rupees. He said that more than rupees eleven crores were shown as spent on social forestry since ten years but hardly any trees are grown in the district. Resolution was passed to investigate the matter and Agriculture committee chairman Raghu Achaiah was asked to lead the investigation

The ZP sanctioned rupees one lakh to Brahmakalashotsava to be held at Talacauvery. MLA Basavaraju urged all the Taluk panchayaths to release rupee twenty five thousand each and appealed to all to take part in the Utsav with unity. MLA Bopaiah, vice president of ZP Neelamma, CEO Naik were present.

BOPANNA SUGGESTS PERMANENT HOCKEY GROUNDS;

Chief Justice Bopanna yesterday suggested to the Kodava families to have permanent grounds to conduct family hockey festival each year.

Inaugurating the final match of the twenty day festival, yesterday, he opined that expenditure to prepare grounds in different places each year to conduct the tournament could be saved by having two permanent grounds one in South Kodagu and another in North Kodagu. Palanganda family team won against Macchamada by 6 – 5 in the neck to neck finals played at Ponnampet grounds yesterday.

He observed that the popularity of family hockey festival is dwindling and said that not all the families may be able to spend money on grounds. Up to date grounds with galleries could be prepared if the money is poured into single ground, he said.

Addressing the gathering Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, Dr.Kaverappa regretted that Kodagu has only eight Pre University colleges and assured to get a degree college to Ponnampet. Sponsorers of the festival, TVS company vice president Dilip expressed happiness and said that while the world is braced to watch only cricket, people of kodagu are encouraging hockey.Pandanda Kuttappa presided over the function. Kallichanda Kashi addressed the gathering.Former national hockey player Cladius was present. Vishnu Cariappa welcomed.

Pic; Justice Bopanna handing over the trophy to winners Palnganda team.