Latest news with #Kabini
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Bagina politics': Farmers allege KRS honoured but Kabini ignored
The tradition of offering 'Bagina' to Kabini and the Krishnaraja Sagar on the same day was ignored this year which has irked a section of farmers who have criticised the government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered Bagina, the traditional thanksgiving to the river, consequent to the reservoir attaining the full level at the KRS on Monday. All these years, the practice was to visit the Kabini first, make the offerings, and then visit the KRS to complete the rituals on the same day. Irked by the Chief Minister offering Bagina only at the KRS, the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers' Association president H. Bhagyaraj and others staged a demonstration in Mysuru to voice their protest. Angered by the CM's move, Mr. Bhagyaraj said Bagina has been offered hastily at the KRS for political spectacle. But when the water is released to Tamil Nadu during distress years and when Karnataka has to comply with the Supreme Court's directives, it is the farmers from the Kabini command area whose interests are sacrificed by the government, Mr. Bhagyaraj added. The farmers also alleged that several illegal resorts have been built along the Kabini backwaters, though none of the development works previously announced by the government have materialised so far. The farmers also criticised the government for its alleged move to privatise the power sector and said that the installation of smart meters was a step in that direction. In due course, the installation will be extended to the agriculture sector as well, pushing farmers out of agriculture and facilitating the entry of the corporates to the agricultural sector, said Mr. Bhagyaraj. Opposing the compulsory installation of smart meters, the farmers urged the government to withdraw the notification failing which the association threatened to launch an agitation. They urged the government to fix the Fair and Remunerative Price for sugarcane at ₹4,000 a tonne for the current season. Other demands included putting an end to 'forced land acquisition' for development, ensuring reparation works of canals and channels in the rural hinterland, and filling up the waterbodies.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Committee to review changes in development in backward taluks: Chairman
MYSURU Karnataka Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee chairman and economist M. Govinda Rao said in Chamarajanagar on Monday that a review will be conducted based on new indices to assess the changes in development across districts following the implementation of the D.M. Nanjundappa Report. This will help identify what further developmental steps are needed, and a report will be submitted accordingly, he added. Presiding over the district-level interactive meeting of the committee held at the zilla panchayat hall in the town, Prof. Rao addressed the gathering, which included the committee's member-secretary R. Vishal (Principal Secretary of the Department of Financial Reforms and Planning), other committee members, directors, MLAs, senior officials, and representatives of various organisations. The committee, headed by Dr. Nanjundappa, had submitted its recommendations in 2002, identifying backward taluks. Based on these recommendations, the government spent ₹43,000 crore on their development. The current committee is now reviewing the extent of progress in these taluks and identifying areas that remain underdeveloped, he said. Prof. Rao emphasised that increasing imbalances lead to regional backwardness. The review will analyse development using indicators such as per capita income, education, health, and other sectors. The committee will study and examine all relevant aspects and submit a comprehensive report to the government, he said. Dr. Vishal said the committee should base its recommendations on new indicators. Visits are being conducted across districts to hold discussions and gather suggestions. Local-level discussions are helping to identify specific development needs, he noted. MLA for Kollegal A.R. Krishnamurthy said the district has extensive forest areas and a high population of Scheduled Castes and tribes. He emphasised the need to appoint qualified teachers proportionately, focus on skill development, provide local employment opportunities, and promote tourism since the district has tourist spots, religious centers, and forest attractions. He also mentioned the benefits of implementing Phase 2 of the Kabini project. MLA for Hanur, M.R. Manjunath, pointed out that the Hanur constituency needs prioritisation of irrigation. The absence of industrial areas forces locals to seek employment elsewhere. The lack of road connectivity in villages bordering forests is causing major issues for students. Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag said value addition is needed for the crops produced in the district. A comprehensive plan for tourism development has been prepared, and focus is being given to the development of basic infrastructure. Traders, farmer leaders, NGO representatives, and education and other sector organisation heads also spoke on the occasion, highlighting local issues and offering suggestions. Some of the key suggestions included minimum support price for crops, employment generation, irrigation development, super speciality hospitals, support for small industries, infrastructure in educational institutions, crop protection from wild animals, a textile hub, GST exemption, easy access to bank loans, encouragement for students in sports, agriculture-based industries, better remuneration for guest teachers, and revival of the silk industry.
