The Hindu : Acute fodder scarcity in Tumkur Dist.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 20, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Acute fodder scarcity in Tumkur Dist.

By Our Staff Correspondent

TUMKUR JUNE 19. The fodder scarcity in Tumkur District has become acute. Goshalas are being closed or not opened at all due to the short supply of fodder.

Farmers of Govindayyanpalya, Channathimmanpalya, Bommachigere, Madikehalli, Dasanpura, and Janagere in Kunigal taluk used to graze their cattle on the 550-acre horticulture farm stealthily at night.

On Monday, officials of the Department of Horticulture objected to it.

In the clash that followed between farmers and the department staff, four employees of the department were injured. Of them, one had to be shifted to Nimhans in Bangalore.

On Tuesday, the President of the Kunigal Taluk Panchayat, Ramadevi, and the President of the Bhaktarahalli Gram Panchayat, B.D.Kumar, led the farmers to the tahsildar's office in Kunigal.

The Kunigal MLA, S.P.Muddahanume Gowda, told officials to allow the cattle into the farm for grazing.

The Horticulture Officer, M.G.Ramaiah, said the cattle would destroy the plants on the farm.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mallikarjun B.Dyaberi, asked the Kunigal tahsildar to open goshalas a fortnight ago, but not even one has been opened.

Sira taluk is experiencing drought for the fifth year in succession.

A goshala was to be opened there on June 2, but the tahsildar postponed it indefinitely. The Assistant Commissioner, B.Siddaiah, said at least 100 tonnes of fodder was needed to start the goshala.

Unable to provide fodder to animals, farmers are reportedly selling cattle to butchers.

A farmers' leader said that Rs. 1.50 crore and Rs. 1.20 crore had been released to Sira and Kallambella Assembly segments, respectively, for tackling drought.

He alleged that officials entrusted the relief works to local contractors who were either their kin or supporters of Congress MLAs. He claimed that the works were overestimated and charged that the contractors executed the work by deploying machines and got the bills passed. Foodgrains provided under the food-for-work programme was also misused, he charged.

He alleged that an infiltration well at Sorekunte was dug at a cost of Rs. 5,000 and the bill was drawn for Rs. 30,000. Funds were released in March for renovating tanks in the taluk, but works had not started.

The General Secretary of the Tumkur District BJP, B.C.Nagesh, said the situation in Tiptur taluk was no better. He accused the officials of executing one work and drawing more than one bill for the same.

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