SURVEY FOR MINORITY STATUS ON;

Madikeri May 10, 2006

Heeding to the demand by Codava national Council to provide minority status to Kodavas, The national Commission for Tribes has sent a member to look into the demand.

A member of the NTC, Buduru Srinivasulu arrived here yesterday and met the secretary general of CNC, N.U.Nachappa and other members. Attired in Kodava traditional dresses, Nachappa presented a fresh memorandum seeking benefits under minority status to Kodavas. Addressing the members, Srinivasulu stated that he has come on an officials visit to verify the facts and eligibility of Kodavas to be termed as tribes. He recalled that Nachappa visited the commission 32 days ago and presented the memorandum. Srinivasulu said that the CNC demand would be verified after his report. He regretted that tribes have been neglected in India even after 52 years of independence.

Srinivasulu visited tribal areas in the district today.

ELECTION TO VACANT GP SEATS;

Election to eleven Gram Panchayath seats would be held on June 4, according to official sources.

As per the direction by the state election commissioner, election to ten gram Panchayaths ‘ in three taluks of Kodagu will be held on June 4. Nominations would be received until May 24th and they would be verified on 25th. Withdrawal of nominations would be held on 27th, as per the district election officer.

Election would be held at taluka centres.

KODAGU BANDH;

Kodagu bandh to protest against the de limitation report would be heldtomorrow.

All parties and organizations of the district have called for the bandh opposing the recommendation to dissolve Somwarpet constituency. This will leave kodagu with only two two constituencies, Madikeri and Virajpet.