Action to release funds for pothole repairs Minister P.M. Narendraswamy
Kodagu district has received less rainfall than usual so far this season, and a report will be submitted to the government on the rainfall received, the water level of the Harangi reservoir and the prevailing crop situation, District In-charge Minister P.M. Narendraswamy said.
He also said steps would be taken to seek the release of funds for filling potholes on roads across the district.
The minister was speaking after receiving information at a review meeting on the heavy rainfall and drought situation in Kodagu district held at the Z.P. Hall in Madikeri recently.
The monsoon arrived late this year due to prevailing weather conditions, affecting agricultural activities in the district. However, the minister said there was a possibility of good rainfall in August, which would facilitate paddy transplantation and other agricultural activities.
He said roads under the jurisdiction of local bodies, the Public Works Department and the Panchayat Raj Department had developed potholes following the recent rains. A request would be made to the government for the release of funds to undertake the necessary repairs.
He directed the authorities to invite tenders for road repairs and said officials should remain accessible and responsive to the public and discharge their responsibilities effectively.
The government would provide necessary assistance in dealing with excessive rainfall and drought conditions, he said, adding that officials should perform their duties in accordance with government directions.
The minister said that, following the directions of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, an assessment had been conducted of the Harangi reservoir and agricultural and horticultural crops in the district, along with an inspection of cowsheds and a review meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda said the district had received good rainfall over the past week, which had resulted in deterioration of several roads. He advised engineers to take immediate steps to fill the potholes. “Tenders should have already been called and the work should have started. But the tender has not yet been invited and the work of closing the drains has not started. If so, how will the public move around?” Dr. Mantar Gowda questioned. The MLA also expressed deep dissatisfaction over the failure to complete sewerage works in Kushalnagar despite the passage of several decades since the project was initiated.
The non-completion of the sewerage project has caused considerable inconvenience to the public, he said, and appealed to the minister to take appropriate action.
Speaking on the occasion, V.P. Shashidhar said the sewerage board engineer and municipal officials were not working in coordination, resulting in little benefit to the public.
Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar informed the meeting that Kodagu had recorded a 37 per cent rainfall deficit compared to the corresponding period previously. Shantalli, Kushalnagar and Hudikeri areas had received more rainfall than usual, while the remaining parts of the district were facing a deficit. He explained that the normal rainfall for July was 859 mm, whereas only 599 mm had been recorded this year.
Helpline centres have been established at the district and taluk levels for natural disaster management. Twenty nodal officers have also been deployed in hobli and local body areas.This year, compensation has been distributed in accordance with NDRF guidelines for 44 cases of house damage, including 13 pre-monsoon cases and 31 cases during the monsoon. The DC said two people had died during the monsoon and compensation had been distributed to their families as per government guidelines.
Chandrashekhar, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, said a target had been set for sowing paddy and musukina jola over 19,000 hectares in the district. So far, sowing had been completed over 2,800 hectares, and paddy transplantation would continue until the end of August.He said paddy had earlier been cultivated over nearly 30,000 hectares, but the area under paddy cultivation had been declining year by year. During the previous monsoon, more than 38 per cent of the targeted paddy area had been planted by this stage, whereas only 8 per cent had been planted this year.
Similarly, musukina jola was targeted over 1,800 hectares, of which 80 per cent had already been completed, he said.He added that, owing to the declining rainfall pattern over the years, emphasis had been placed on short-duration and medium-duration crops. There is demand for fertilisers in the district, but the necessary fertilisers, including urea and DAP, have been stocked and there is no shortage, the Joint Director said.
Shashidhar, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department, said the district grows pepper, arecanut and orange as major horticultural crops. The growth of pepper crops had been affected due to inadequate rainfall during the period critical for the crop.
Lingaraju Doddamani, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, said cattle were being vaccinated regularly and there was no shortage of fodder for livestock in the district.
Public Works Department Engineer Prabhu, Panchayat Raj Engineer Nayak, CESC Engineer Ramachandra, School Education Department Deputy Director Basavaraju and Urban Development Planning Department Project Director Manjunath Ramanna provided information on development works being undertaken by their respective departments.
AEE Prasanna of the Drainage Board briefed the meeting on the Kushalnagar drainage works.
Municipal Council President P. Kalavathi brought to the minister’s attention the incomplete drainage works in Madikeri as well.
Z.P. CEO Anand Prakash Meena, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek, Deputy Divisional Officer Nitin Chakki and officials from various departments were present.
