BUREAUCRATS NOW ALERT; CM

Madikeri October 19, 2006

The bureaucrats were under the impression that their duty is only to sit before the office files. Their trend is slowly changing now, said Chief Minister Kumarswamy.

The chief minister was speaking at Chikmagalur first round table conference of bureaucrats, departments and different organizations representing, Industries and commerce and merchants.

The chief minister stated that his government has made it clear to the officials that they have to respond to the heart beat of people and work for the betterment of the society. Hence, he assured the business community to contact him with proper agenda which will be decided on the spot.

He also said that the government is considering encouragement to tourism and upto rupees three hundred crores would be reserved for the purpose in the next budget. In the present budget the government had kept rupees sixty five crores for the development of tourism. The government is committed to develop tourism in all the districts of the state, including Kodagu, he said.

Meanwhile, delegates from Kodagu Chamber of Commerce submitted a memorandum to the chief minister.

Later, addressing the round table conference in the afternoon, president Girish ganapathy and general secretary G.Chidvilas stated with strong words that Kodagu is neglected by the governments as far as the developments are concerned. They pointed out that not a single professional, medical or technical colleges exist in the district. There are no industries, no railway line and no proper roads in the district. A thirty lakh worth tourism building is laying waste at Madikeri without any staff, they pointed out. The government is sitting on the files of a rupees 107 crore package sanctioned duing Krishna government, they said.

The FKCCI president Purohith and other officials assured to take up the issue with the government. Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa and Industries minister Katta Subrahmanya were also briefed about the problems faced by the district in the valedictory function held yesterday.

ACCIDENT VICTIMS CREMATED;

The cremation of accident victims, Superintendent of Police Dr.Ramachandra’s wife Lakshmi, 35 and mother in law Shanthi was held today at Hyderabad. While driver Gopal was cremated at Mutharmudi village near Madikeri.

A touching police honor was given to Gopal at police parade ground here today before the funeral.

The trio died in a road accident yesterday evening at Farangipet, near Mangalore. A tanker hit the qualis vehicle they were traveling in. While three died on the spot, two children aged three and nine had a miraculous escape.