Shivamurthy Muruga Sharana of Burhun Mutt in Chitradurga has warned that an indefinite strike would be staged outside the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah failed to announce a special package to the district for basic infrastructure within five days.
Speaking after taking part in padayatra organised by seers of different mutts here on Saturday, he stated that the padayatra and the agitation were organised after a long wait for the realisation of the demand. He added that the government had been given ample opportunities to act in this regard. “The seers had convened a meeting of all elected representatives of the district more than three times to convince them to take immediate steps for development, but they have not done anything except provide false assurances,” he alleged.
After holding discussions with seers of different mutts, a delegation was sent to the CM appealing to him to take steps for the development of Chitradurga. The CM had assured the delegation of action but nothing had been done so far. Owing to this, it has become necessary to launch an agitation, he said.
He demanded that the State government take immediate steps to clear all major tanks of silt in the district to ensure proper storage, provision of drinking water to people in rural areas of the district, taking up of drought relief works and also finding a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in the district.
Raitha Sangha member Buthaiah said that farmers in the district were adversely affected by the consecutive drought over the past few years and though many farmer suicides were being reported, the State government had still not taken any steps to help. He demanded that the government respond to the problems of groundnut, millet and onion growers in the district as they were in deep trouble.
Earlier, a padayatra was taken out from Shri Nilkanteshwar Temple, that passed through main streets of the city including Gandhi Circle, Mahaveer Circle, and culminated outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They also submitted a memorandum in this regard to Srirangaiah, Deputy Commissioner. They also staged a dharna outside the DC’s office for some time.
