MADIKERI DASARA GETS TEN LAKH;

Madikeri September 15, 2006

The government has sanctioned rupees ten lakh for Dasara to be held at Madikeri.

Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa honored the request by MLA K.G.Bopaiah who led a delegation of Dasara Samity at Bangalore and instructed the Kannada and culture department to release the amount. The department has transferred the amount to Deputy Commissioner’s account, MLA said.

The nine day Dasara festival at Madikeri is known as second only to Mysore dasara. The ninth day procession of ten highly lit, colourfully decorated mantapams along with cultural groups is a night long event which attracts thousands of tourists from all over.

Cultural and entertainment programmes will go on for nine days.

TALACAUVERY RECEIVES 250 INCH RAINFALL;

Talacauvery has so far received 250 inches of rainfall till yesterday. Last year it was 280 inches.

Bhagamandala has received 224.14 inches, 3.86 inches more than last year.

Madikeri received 12.35 inches less rainfall with 132.75 inches, compared to last year. Somwarpet received 84.61 and last year it was 101.80. Virajpet received 83.51 and last year it was 91.09. Though the rainfall is fierce this time, it has rained less compared to last year.

PLANTATIONS AFFECTED BY RAINFALL;

Agriculturists are worried that the continued rainfall has been affecting their plants and crops all over the district.

While estates in North Kodagu are damaged in certain belts, plantations at the foot hills of Brahmagiri suffer heavily with decaying of crops and plants. Coffee and pepper are the most effected in many ranges.

Agriculturists association at Kodlipet range have already appealed to the government to come to their rescue and Coffee and Spice board officials have been visiting estates to find remedy. Agriculturists from South Kodagu, led by Srimangala association have appealed to the government to release at least rupees thirty thousand relief funds per acre to them.

Pepper creepers embracing silver oak and other trees were a feast to the eyes of onlookers, earlier. But today they cut a sorry state with creepers either found dead or decaying. Paddy and other crops have also suffered earlier due to flood situation.

Planters and agriculturists have appealed to state and central government to come to their rescue.