PLANTERS CAUTION DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION; DC SAYS,THEY ARE DUE THIRTEEN CRORE!

Madikeri May 27, 2006

Kodagu growers Association have warned the district administration of stern protest if it tries to recover dues by force.

The members of the Association yesterday went in a procession to DCs office here and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav in this connection.

The procession was organized to protest the recent statement by the DC who said that severe action would be initiated to recover dues in the district. Stating that the growers are already suffering due to lack of price to their crops and burden of Bank interest, the representatives alleged that the district administration is adopting a threatening attitude. They stated that the strict action to recovery would encourage growers to commit suicide. The government will be held responsible for it, they cautioned.

The Deputy Commissioner told them that he is only following the government’s instruction. The memorandum would be forwarded to the concerned, he assured.

Meanwhile, the deputy Commissioner told scribes that the growers have to pay nearly 13 crores of rupees to government in the form of loans and tax. The revenue department is responsible for the recovery of any agricultural loans and taxes due. Unless the government sends official communication, the district administration cannot restrict collection effort.

MONSOON SETS IN;

Monsoon has set in Kodagu with rains lashing all over. Cold breeze and mist, the trade marks of kodagu has returned.

Reports of rainfall has been arriving from all the three talukas, Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

The deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav has already called a special meeting and instructed the officials to gear up for facing monsoon hazards. He has asked them to take precautionary measures to tackle flood situations in flood prone areas.

POACHERS ARRESTED;

Periyapatna police have arrested two poachers having wild life parts and skins.

Residents of Periyapatna, Krishna and Basavaraju were arrested by forest officials for illegally having deer skin. According to officials, the duo had killed two deers in the Nagarahole forest range that runs upto Hunsur from Kodagu and skinned them.

Officials also seized four legs from the accused.

They were produced to court and remanded to judicial custody.

SOLDIER DIES;

A soldier serving at Border security Force, Assam died of ill health, sources said.

A native of Chikka bettageri village near Kushalnagar, 56 year old, Ailapanda Nanaiah was serving in the BSF since thirty years. According to sources, he was undergoing treatment in a hospital at Coimba6tore yesterday for some illness.

His body would be brought to Kodagu today for cremation.

LOCUST FOUND IN BALELE;

The dreaded Locust eating leaves is now found at Balele.

A coffee planter from Balele, Suja Poonacha stated to this correspondent that locust began to attack his coffee plants and destroyed green leaves. He said that using pesticides was useful and the locust died as he sprayed it.

Locust was first found in estates near Virajpet causing panic among planters, a fortnight ago. The Agriculture department had said that the Locust found here might not migrate. Contrary to the above statements, they are being located in different parts. The planters feel that the government should do something to control the menace. Planter Suja Poonacha has also said that he has noticed eggs beneath leaves, which could be of Locust.

MERCHANTS BANK SHOWS PROGRESS;

President of the Merchants Bank, T.P.Ramesh has said that the bank has earned a profit of rupees 6.38 lakh with a turnover of rupees 7.26 crores during the last fiscal.

He said that the bank has improved its transactions without raising any loan. It is also giving a high 8% interest on deposits, he informed. The Bank is collecting Pigmy from many town of the district, he said.

CoC president Girish Ganapathy and others were also present.

KADYA TEAM BAGS VOLLEY BALL CUP;

Kadya team won the Kattemane volley ball tournament cup.

In the finals held yesterday at Maragodu near here, kadya team beat Baladi team by 28 to 26.

Bidrupade ladies team won the tug of war tittle by defeating Kudupaje team.

MLA K.G.Bopaiah inaugurated the tournament. Different sports events were held on the occasion.