FLOOD SWEEPS MAN TO DEATH;

Madikeri July 20, 2007

K.Krishna, a native of Yavakapadi near Napoklu was swept away by floods, taking the rain related death toll in Kodagu to five.

Krishna, 47 was missing since Monday evening. He had visited his son living on the other side of a river ‘Kombale’ near Nalaknad palace and was seen crossing the river in the evening to return to his house. He was missing since then. A complaint was lodged with the Napoklu police and a search was on. The search team traced the body yesterday a kilometer away from his house. ‘Kombale’ river Nalaknad palace is flowing in full.

The gram panchayath paid an immediate compensation of rupees one thousand to the family. Villagers demanded compensation from the district authorities. The tahasildar was taken to task by villagers as she said that the compensation amount could be paid only after autopsy report.

SUNLIGHT IN KODAGU;

After weeks of incessant rainfall and floods, Kodagu witnessed a partially sunny day yesterday.

People set out from their houses with out rain coats, gum boots and umbrellas. Flood levels in Cauvery and other rivers have come down. Farmers set out out early to plogh their fields.

Madikeri has so far received 98.73 inches of rainfall. Last year it was 74.78 inches. Virajpet registered 76.72 inches. Last year it eas 62.5 inches. Somwarpet received 57.34 inches of rainfall, whereas it was 53.90 last year.

Officials have released water to Harangi canals enabling farmers to start their agricultural activities.

CONGRESS TO MEET HIGHER UPs TO DISCUSS JAMMA;

Former minister Suma Vasanth and DCC president Veena Achaiah told in a press conference here that they will meet their state leaders to discuss about the Jamma land issue.

They regretted that political wings are trying to meddle the issue by approaching different leaders. Expressing satisfaction over holding a joint meeting together with all parties in Bangalore recently, they said that it was not necessary that individual memorandums were carried after the meeting.

They referred to the delegations meeting the chief minister individually by former minister M.C.Nanaiah and MLC Arun Machaiah, CNC leader N.U.Nachappa and MLA H.D.Basavaraju. These acts will weaken the unity they opined.

They said that congress still stands for unity with other parties to fight for the cause.

Suma Vasanth said that the government is bothered only about river cauvery and filling of krishnaraja Sagar as far as Kodagu is concerned and it is not bothered about its development.

DCC vice president B.S.Thammaiah told that the issue will take a new turn if it is brought before the Sessions and it was not necessary to discuss it in the cabinet.

Congree said that it stands by the all party decision to hold Vidana Soudha Chalo.

GOWDA SEEKS TIME TO SOLVE JAMMA;

Former prime minister H.D.Devegowda asked a delegation to wait for the Jamma issue to be solved.

He spoke to MLC Arun Machaiah, MLA K.G.Bopaiah and ZP member V.P.Shashidar who met him at his residence yesterday and assured to solve the problem. He said that jamma problem existed even before and it is not the making of Kumar Swamy government.

He said that he will discuss the issue with Kumar Swamy and home minister M.P.prakash. He called upon the members to be patient till the problem is solved.