The Fruit Research Station (FRS), also famous as ‘Astabal’, located in the district headquarters, has been facing serious problems due to public and administrative apathy.
The Renuka Yellamma temple, located in the middle of the FRS, has been a visiting spot for many devotees for the past several years. And the behaviour of devotees thronging the temple is posing an insurmountable problem for authorities. The visitors who ‘sacrifice’ sheep, goats or hens in front of the goddess leave a disturbing scene behind. The dried up blood, used liquor bottles and the food left behind after the parties organised there, mar the serenity of the place.
Efforts of the FRS staff to prevent this objectionable behaviour are not yielding results and sometimes the staff claim they are being attacked. “The FRS has become a free function hall, bar and restaurant, all rolled into one. It’s time the District Administration and elected representatives intervene,” says a scientist.
