RAIN DAMAGE AMOUNTS TO RUPEES 7.72 CRORE;

Madikeri June 26, 2007

He district administration has assessed the rain damage occurred at the district during the first week of its arrival at rupees 7, 72, 90000 crore, according to official sources.

About 32 houses in the district were damaged due to rainfall in the district. .sixteen houses were damaged at Virarpet taluk and seven houses at Somwarpet. Nine houses were damaged at Madikeri taluk.

Buildings and roads coming under Zilla Panchayath have incurred loss up to rupees 3, 87,600 and PWD has incurred a loss of rupees 3, 81, 500.

Scores of electric and telephone poles have collapsed and wires in meters were damaged. Officials are preparing a detailed report by inspecting the damaged spots.

So far three persons have died in rain related accidents.

MLA K.G.Bopaiah has said that Madikeri taluk alone has incurred a loss of six crores. The loss figure includes damage to houses, school buildings, roads and crop.

He said that he will lead a delegation to the Chief Minister on this 28th and urge him to release rain damage fund.

CONTRACTORS STAGE PROTEST;

A group of contarctors yesterday held a protest before the DFO.

Protestors succeeded in canceling the tender which they alleged was already through.

Tenders were called to dig elephant trench in about 21 kilometers in Kodagu to restrict the movement of elephants. But the contractors who had submitted their tenders yesterday accused forest officials of eye wash and said that the work in many spots was already allotted to vested interests and this tender was called only for record purpose. The contractors complained with the press that elephant trenches are irresponsibly being dug in different places. Department watchers are given contract in few places illegally, they alleged.

Reacting to the complaints, DFO B.B.Mallesh stated that he was unaware of the allegations as he had taken charge only recently. He declared that the tender proceedings scheduled for the day would be cancelled and will be invited at a later date, after verifying the facts. He said that it is illegal to dig trenches before the tenders are called. He said that the government has released rupees ten crore to dig trenches and the tender proceedings were on accordingly.

DC TRANSFERRED;

Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav is transferred to Bangalore from Kodagu.

He is transferred as the joint commissioner to Bangalore Development Corporation.

IAS officer Niranjan will take charge as the next DC.

BREATH TAKING WATER FALLS;

Kodagu is known for the beauty of its valleys and water falls during monsoon.

Mallalli water falls is one among the many which is attracting people.

It is located at Bettadalli village near Somwarpet.

Shanthalli and Bettadalli, the twin villages registered 22.5 inches of rainfall in two days, till yesterday.