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Saturday, January 29, 2011

VIKASAM Diamond Jubilee Celebrations inaugurated


General manager of MPM BN Srinivas addressing the inaugural function of the diamond jubilee celebrations of VIKASAM at Bhadravati on Friday. DY Venkatesh, seer Panditharadhya Shivacharya Swami, Ramalinga Setty, KP Jagannath, C Lakshminarayanappa and K Shamamurthy look on

An actor appears in his true dimension whereas he appears bigger on the silver screen and very smaller on television screen, said seer of Sanehalli mutt Pandithacharya Shivacharya Swami. Activities on the stage are the true pictures unlike the ones portrayed in cinemas and televisions. Addressing the inaugural function of diamond jubilee celebrations of VIKASAM (erstwhile Vidyarthi Kala Sangha) at MPM Kalyana Mantapa on Friday, he said one who is curious about arts and literature will grow as a cultured citizen. The stage art also enhances the self confidence. In this perspective only the ‘Shiva Sanchara’ drama troupe is setup and nurtured by the mutt, that has so far given 2000 shows of 42 plays in a span of fourteen years, the seer added. He also lauded the personality of the founder of VIKASAM K Shamamurthy who had been trying hard to unearth the young talents and nurture them on the stage. Shamamurthy is a person who always aspires to walk tall, he concluded.

General manager (HRD) of MPM BN Srinivas, who inaugurated the diamond jubilee celebrations and the exhibition prizes and certificates arranged in this connection, said that ignoring the magnetism of cinema and television Shamamurthy chose to remain in stage art because of his passion for the great art. He was committed to foster the stage art by introducing many innovative ideas to impress the spectators, Srinivas added.

Exective director of Hatti Gold Mines, who was earlier general manager (HRD) of MPM, DY Venkatesh said that Vidyarthi Kala Vedike formed to accommodate amateur artists has grown in size to become a ‘talk of the town’. Remembering the days of enjoying the month-long drama competition that were being held under the auspices of Mitra Kala Mandali in the premises of Sharada Mandir in VISL township way back in 1969, he proclaimed that Bhadravati was not only an industrial city but also a paradise for many budding as well as professional artistes.

Cine artiste Bhagyashree, former vice presidents of VIKASAM Ramalinga Setty, K Jagannath and CK Gopal were felicitated on this occasion. Founder member HB Gopal was also honoured.

KP Jagannath and CK Gopal spoke on behalf of the felicitated dignitaries. President of VIKASAM C Lakshminarayanappa presided and also announced that a website of VIKASAM – vikasam.com – would be shortly launched for the benefit of those interested in the stage art. Invoking the quote of Barnard Shaw “the culture will be very rich where the stage art is alive” Lakshminarayanappa said that there was a direct relationship between the drama and real life.

Founder of VIKASAM Kalashree K Shamamurthy gave a prefatory talk highlighting the way Vidyarthi Kala Sangha performed and grown in to VIKASAM to see the diamond jubilee celebrations. He also placed on records the encouragement and support lent by MPM and VISL management as well as the people of Bhadravati who always patted on the back of artistes.

Shankaramurthy welcomed. Barandur Prakash anchored. Kapanigowda proposed a vote of thanks.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Republic Day Celebrated at Bhadravati

 Executive director of VISL VG Shanker inspecting the parade troops after hoisting the national flag at VISL SJ Stadium on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations by VISL on Wednesday
 School Children presenting a cultural programme at VISL Stadium during Republic Day celebration by VISL on 26th Jan 2011
Tahsildar V.B. Fernandez hoisted the tricolour at Kanaka Mantapa playground to mark the Republic Day celebration by National Festivals Committee on 26th Jan 2011. Municipal commissioner N Renuka, MLA B.K. Sangameshwar and others look on

“Let us rededicate ourselves, individually and collectively to strengthen the integrity of our country”, executive director of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISL), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), VG Shankar gave a call. Addressing the Republic Day celebrations after hoisting the national flag at VISL SJ Stadium on Wednesday, he said that Indian economy was reckoned as one of the world’s best and this was amply proved when the Indian economy withstood the onslaught of economic slowdown that affected most of the economies in the world.

Dwelling upon the performance of VISL VG Shankar said that the plant was putting in persistent efforts to improve the techno economic parameters to cut down the input cost.

VISL security guards and children from various schools took part in the parade that followed the guard of honour received by executive director VG Shankar. Parade commander Ratnakar led the parade. General manager (P&A) P Sahay, general manager (blast furnace and raw materials) V Suryanarayana, general manager (works) NC Jha, office bearers of VISL workers’ association and officers’ association and many senior officers including Asst. general manager (PR) Poornachandra were present.

Officers and employees who had put in commendable service and offered valid suggestions to improve the productivity were recognized with cash prizes and citations on this occasion. Students from various schools presented cultural programmes.

Girls from Eshwaramma High School, St. Charles English High School and Little Flower School won the first, second and third prizes respectively for their performance in parade.

Republic Day was celebrated at MPM football playground under the auspices of the Mysore Paper Mills. As per the tradition there, senior most employee of MPM V Srinivasamurthy unfurled the national flag. Home guards, Sevadal, MPM security, NCC, Scouts and guides and schoolchildren from schools in paper town took part in the march past. Students from various schools presented cultural programmes.

Republic Day was celebrated at Kanakamantapa playground by the national festivals committee and Tahsildar VB Fernandez hoisted the tricolour flag. He called upon the people to fortify the unity and integrity that were the hallmark of this great country while giving message to the gathering. MLA BK Sangameshwar, municipal commissioner N Renuka, BEO TN Somashekaraiah, Many police officers, freedom fighters and political leaders were present. MLA BK Sangameshwar felicitated the persons who had put in praiseworthy in their respective areas of activities.

Monday, January 24, 2011

VISL has a bright future - V Gowrishankar, ED VISL

Executive director of VISL VG Shankar addressed the SAIL day celebrated by VISL at Bhadravati. JN Chandrahasa, P Sahay, V Suryanarayana, NC Jha and WM Manjunath look on

What best we can do with the available resources, is the million dollar question that is haunting the VISL collective which has one of the best work cultures among the Maharathna steel giant Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) that would surely brighten the future of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISL), said executive director of VISL V Gowrishankra.

Addressing the SAIL Day celebration at VISL platinum jubilee stage in VISL SJ Stadium on Monday evening he said that SAIL was interested in investing those steel plants which had captive iron ore mines excepting a plant in Tamilnadu. If VISL can ensure a captive Iron Ore mines, with the help of Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath, MP BY Raghavendra and local MLA BK Sangameshwar there is no reason why VISL cannot turn its corners round, he added and hoped that VISL would get mining lease at Ramanadurga in Bellary district very soon.

SAIL has shown a turnover of Rs.42,000 crore and a profit of Rs.10,000 crore during 09-10 fiscal. It has been elevated to Maharatna company from Navarathna company status. VISL would also get Rs.2000 crore for its modernization plan. But, we must be in a position to pay it back in the form of profits and productions, he pointed out.

VISL workers’ association president JN Chandrahasa expressed his displeasure about the alleged stepmother attitude shown by SAIL in modernizing the legendary steel plant VISL founded by Sir M Visvesvaraya way back in 1923. Though VISL has seen many ups and downs it has withstood all odds, thanks to the best work culture of VISL workers and contract workers. The politicians, state government and the union government should consider the allotment of a captive iron ore mine to VISL, which is the only PSU steel producer in the State. Owing to legal litigations raised by the private operators the allotment of 245 hectares of mining land at Ramanadurga range in Bellary district is being delayed, he noted. He also threw a challenge that VISL workers were prepared to sustain and improve the production and productivity given the necessary downstream facilities through modernization as promised by SAIL at the time of taking over VISL as a full fledged plant of SAIL in 1998. He also placed on records the support lent by former chief ministers JH Patel and Ramakrishna Hegde along with the initiative shown by former prime minister HD Devegowda to merge VISL into SAIL. He expressed his deep concern about the poor attendance of VISL officers and workers at the SAIL day celebration in spite of SAIL extending all benefits like salary, fringe benefits, healthcare and housing facilities to them although VISL was accumulating losses.

VISL officers’ association vice president WM Manjunath said that VISL was yet to achieve the best results and the provisions to make iron ore and coke available for VISL would sort out this issue. He also said that within the limited resources VISL collective must aim at achieving highest ever parameters in production and quality of steel.

General manager (P&A) P Sahay, who is also the chairman of the VISL Utsav committee 2011 presided over the function. General Manager (operations) YK Khanna was present. General manager (mines and raw materials) V Suryanarayana welcomed. N Raghuram anchored the programme. General manager (works) NC Jha proposed a vote of thanks.

Meghana melodies of Tirthahalli gave a musical recital to entertain the gathering.
 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

VIPRA YUVA VEDKE LAUNCHED AT BHADRAVATI

VK Dixit of Bangalore lit the lamp to mark the launch of Vipra Yuva Vedike at Bhadravati on Sunday. MLA BK Sangameshwar, Nagaraj, KS Anantharamaiah, MSJ Iyengar and C Ranganath look on

Youth power is the virtual strength of any country and hence the Brahmin youths, who are supposed to be more intellectuals, have the onerous responsibility of contributing their might to the development of the society, said MLA BK Sangameshwar. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the launch of Vipra Yuva Vedike at Rameshwara temple premises here on Sunday (16-01-2011), he asserted that the forum should strive hard to lend a helping hand to the needy and economically downtrodden people of the community. He also suggested building a corpus to assist the poorer families to perform funeral and obsequies at the time of bereavement in their family. He also contributed a donation of Rs.10001 to Vipra Yuva Vedike as his donation.
Vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Shimoga KS Anantharamaiah affirmed that Brahmins were known for their harmonious living in the society. The practice of purity (madi) by Brahmins is often mistaken to impervious and untouchablity. This forum should honestly try to spread awareness among people about the adherence to purity ‘Madi’. Dwelling upon the demography of Brahmins he said that the community was not reckoned for the benefits under the democratic setup because of the fact that Brahmins were fewer in number and lacked integrity among them. The youth power alone can bring the people together and prove the solidarity, he pointed out.
President of the Badaganadu Sangha of Bengaluru VK Dixit lit the lamp to mark the launch of Vipra Yuva Vedike, Municipal president BK Mohan, Shimoga taluk Brahman sabha president Nagaraj and the president of the new Vipra Yuva Vedike of Bhadravati C Ranganath were present. President of Bhadravati taluk Brahman sabha MS Janardan Iyengar presided over.
A minute’s silence was observed to mourn the death of R Divekar, Nagabhushana and Yashodamma Ramachandra.
The programme began with the Veda chanting by Ananthaiah and others. Sanjana S Rao sang the invocation song. KR Subramanya gave a prefatory talk. Subramanya of AIR Bhadravati anchored the programme. Vasanthamadhava welcomed.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tension mounts as VISL Contract Worker dies in Accident at New Rolling Mill

Crowd assembled outside the VISL main gate after hearing the news of the death of a contract worker while he was on duty at the new rolling mill at VISL. MLA BK Sangameshwar addressed the gathering after he had talks with the top brass executives of VISL on Tuesday night

Ramachadra (30), a contract worker died on the spot when he accidentally fell on the platform of the new rolling mill at Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISL) which is a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) on Tuesday night around quarter past eight.

Soon after the contract workers gathered in front of VISL and demanded that they be allowed to see the body of the deceased fellow contract worker Ramachandra. The VISL security guards, however, did not allow anybody including press reporters and this created spar near the main gate until eleven in the night.

Former MLA M J Appaji, MLA BK Sangameshwar, VISL workers’ association president JN Chandrahasa, VISL contract workers’ association president L Rangegowda, CPI district leader DC Mayanna rushed to the spot and expressed their grief. Later they demanded that the top brass executives should talk to them regarding the action to be taken including the compensation to be paid to the kin of the deceased.

Former MLA MJ Appaji who spoke to press reporters said that executive director and the general manager (personnel and administration) have been apprised to initiate action against the erring officials who were responsible for the accident. According to the sources contract worker Ramachandra was pulled into the rolling mill by the rotating rollers when he accidentally fell on the bed of the rolling mill.

Later MLA BK Sangameshwar came out and informed the gathering outside VISL premises that the management had in principle agreed to transfer the AGM Siddaramappa for negligence on his part to discharge the duty efficiently, provide permanent employment to the wife of the deceased contract worker Ramachandra and pay the compensation according to the relevant compensation Act. He also told that the body of Ramachandra will not be allowed to be removed from the spot until the VISL management had signed a MoU containing the terms for which they have agreed in principle.

The permanent employees and the contract workers who arrived for the night shift had to be stranded outside owing to tense situation near the main gate. Police rushed to the spot and conducted mahazar.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Tulu not just a language, but a heritage alive - Udaya Dharmasthala

Udaya Dharmasthala addressed the ‘Tulu Vaibhavo’ at Bhadravati on Saturday. Ramesh Shetty, Dr. U Karunakara Shetty and Chandrahasa Rai look on

“Tulu was not just a language or a bunch of words; but it was a symbol of heritage alive”, said Udaya Dharmasthala, a member of Tulu Sahitya Academy. Addressing the “Tulu Vaibhavo” organized by Tulu Koota of Bhadravati here at Lions multipurpose service project centre on Sunday as a chief guest, he said that Tulu language could well be traced back to five thousand years and many Tulu words could be seen in Greek plays.

Tulu language and the Tulu speaking people had a grand past. But, the future of Tule language is at bleak. Tuluvas should treat this seriously and tighten their belts to fight for the survival and growth of the language. The centre was showing step-motherly treatment in including the Tulu language in the eighth schedule of the constitution. Karnataka government, however, had recognized the Tulu language by issuing orders to include it as a third language of public instruction. Tulu people must insist upon their wards to choose Tulu as the third language which also facilitates the students to score good marks. Tuluvas must mention their mother tongue as Tulu while furnishing details to enumerators on survey, he noted.

Placing on records the good works done by Palthadi Ramakrishna Acharya, president of the Tulu Sahitya Academy, in spite of suffering from acute diabetes and one of his legs amputated, he said that Acharya strived hard to serve the Academy. Keshava Bhatta wrote ‘Mandara Ramayana’ although he was ill with malignancy. Sri Veerendra Heggade, who was honoured with Karnataka Ratna award, is eligible to receive the coveted Nobel award. These are the few examples of dedicated and committed Tuluvas. But, Tuluvas nd Tulunaadu have suffered worst ever since the provinces were divided on lingual basis. Tulu is the transactional language in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragodu districts. But the union government is denying a place in the eighth schedule of the constitution on the guise that Tulu language is not recognized by the Karnataka government. Tuluvas should be assertive in urging the government to accord a place for Tulu language in the constitution, he emphasized.

Chandrahasa Rai, registrar of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, said that Tulu language had a bright future. Academy is exploring all possibilities for the furtherance of Tulu language since 1994. Karnataka government has recognized Tulu as a language through the orders from director of public instruction on Mar 26, 2009. The academy rolled out more than 8000 Tulu textbooks in a record time of six days, thanks to the fine efforts put in by Udaya Dharmasthala, he added. Expressing his regrets about the western culture overshadowing the Tulu culture he called upon the Tuluvas to uphold and enrich the Tulu culture that envisaged the good things the world desired. He also informed that Academy would launch its website shortly much to the delight of the fairly good gathering. He lauded the programmes conducted by Tulu Koota of Bhadravati and Tuluvara Chavadi of Shimoga.

Tuluvara Chavadi secretary Ramesh Shetty also spoke. Bhadravati Tulu Koota president Dr. U Karunakara Shetty presided over. Fr. Charles Saldana welcomed. Narayana Poojar introduced the guests. Suresh Rao Attur and Shyamarayachar anchored the programme. Secretary of Tulu Koota Dr. Harisha Delanthabettu proposed a vote of thanks. Cultural programmes by children and comedy show presented by Sullia Pattabhirama entertained the spectators.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Founder's day programmes launched at VISL Stadium

Executive Director of VISL VG Shankar having a closer look at the running model of forge mill in the exhibition put up at VISL Stadium to commemorate VISL founder’s day on Saturday after inaugurating the same) (Right – VISL’s executive director VG Shankar inaugurating the founder’s day celebration, exhibition and cultural programmes at VISL Stadium on Saturday

Come January and people of Bhadravati will have a month-full of fun, frolic, cultural programmes and amusements from Sunday onwards on account of VISL celebrating its founder’s day, SAIL day and Republic day at VISL Platinum Jubilee open air theatre in VISL Silver Jubilee Stadium from January 8 to February 7.


Executive director of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISL) V Gowrishankar formally inaugurated the celebrations, exhibition and the cultural programmes on Saturday evening. He also went round the VISL stall put up in the exhibition and wished the main organizing committee of the celebration a grand success.

VISL has accommodated various schools in Bhadravati to present the talents of the students and each school will give a programme everyday commencing from Jan 8. Amusements and mouthwatering delicacies will entice the people to VISL Stadium. The spicy eatables in the mid-winter added with playful and entertaining arena is sure to be a hub of activity in Bhadravati. Vendors and various consumer goods sellers are putting up their stalls and by Tuesday the show would become fully blown up. Organizers have given chance to few drama troops including Navodaya Kala Sangha of Bhadravati who would perform interesting Kannada plays.

18th January will be celebrated as founder’s day of VISL and SAIL day would be held on 24th January followed by Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Executives from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) corporate office in New Delhi are likely to participate in SAIL day celebrations on Jan 24, VISL’s AGM (PR) Poornachandra briefed the mediamen.

General Manager (Projects) AK Bandopadhyay, General Manager (Operations) YK Khanna, General Manager (Blast Furnace and Raw-materials) V Suryanarayana, VISL workers’ association president JN Chandrahasa, VISL officers’ association vice president WM Manjunath and other office bearers of VISLWA and VISLOA, many senior officials of VISL were present on the occasion of formal opening ceremony.



Saturday, January 8, 2011

One can't born great; but one can become - Justice Mohan Shantana Gowdar

Senior advocate and notary HP Basavarajappa and his wife Girijamma were felicitated at Bhadravati on Saturday. AB Nanjappa, Justice L Narayanaswamy, Justice Mohan Shantana Gowdar, Seer Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswami, MLA BK Sangameshwar, V Venkatesh, HB Siddesh and others look on

Man becomes great by his deeds and not by just taking birth in a great family, said High Court Justice Mohan Shantana Gowdar. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Bhadravati Bar Association felicitating senior advocate and notary HP Basavarajappa, on his completing fifty years as an advocate as well as fifty years of his marriage, along with his wife Girijamma, at Veerashaiva Sabha Bhavana on Saturday he said that one cannot take birth according to one’s choice; but surely one can become great by choice. Praising the life of senior advocate and notary HP Basavarajappa he said that he had lived a meaningful life as an advocate as well as an ideal husband, he added.




Giving tips to the lawyers’ fraternity and the gathering he said that getting older was natural; but growing bigger was optional. All great things have a small start and we should venture to make a beginning. Life should not be an easy going one and one should realize that there was no substitute to hard work. As mahatma Gandhi has rightly put it ‘shortcuts are always dangerous’, he asserted narrating many anecdotes and quoting many luminaries. He also noted that one should have fear for law, society and one’s own conscience and added that one should live and not just exist.



Another high court justice L Narayanaswamy said that ‘it is not just sufficient to know the meaning of truth, but it was imperative to experience and follow the same’. Lawyers’ profession was difficult one and there was no economic security for those who practice law. It takes long to earn a good name in this profession. But, HP Basavarajappa has lived as an exception to this by proving that dedication and discipline determines the destiny. Hebbandi Basavarajappa has made his village Hebbandi proud by his selfless service, he added.


Seer Taralabalu Jagadguru Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswami blessed the gathering by his sacred presence and words. District and Sessions Judge of Shimoga SM Shivana Gowdar, Director of MR Medical College of Gulbarga Dr. PS Shankar, MLA BK Sangameshwar and office bearers of Bar Association were present. Bhadravati Bar Association president AB Nanjappa presided over the function. Rohini and Mathura rendered invocation. Secretary of Bar association HL Vishwanath welcomed. SB Shivashanakar gave a prefatory talk and introduced the guests as well. BS Roopa Rao and KN Sriharsha anchored the programme.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Dushta - Kannada Movie shooting launched in Bhadravati

Cine Artiste and Director S Narayan along with MLA B K Sangameshwar lighting the lamp to mark the launch of shooting "Dushta" Kannada Movie at Bhagyavathi Talkines in Bhadravati on 3rd Jan 2011
Performing on the motherland always brings more joy and pleasure, said S Narayan, cine artiste and director of sandalwood. Addressing the gathering here at Bhagyalaxmi talkies on the occasion of the launching the shooting of Kannada film “Dushta” on Monday he said that this was the 42nd Kannada film being directed by him.

“Dushta” is based on a true story of a fellow masonry-boy who worked along with him (S Narayan) when he was working as masonry-boy. The society views his misdemeanor looking at the boy’s exterior. But a girl understands his tender heart, he briefed about the story. Swiftly realizing the stance of a director he announced that the rest of the story could be watched on the silver screen amidst the burst of laughter in the cinema hall.

“I am glad that I have bought a cinema theatre in Bhadravati couple of years ago and happy to launch the shooting of the movie at my birthplace”, he stated emotionally. Local talents are given importance in this movie. Stars are chosen from Bhadravati only. This movie, with a unique anecdote and lots of local talents will reflect Bhadravati comprehensively throughout Karnataka. People of Bhadravati should encourage the maiden attempt of making a movie in Bhadravati, he added.

Nagendra, the public relation officer of the movie, said that S Narayan was always looking for a new thing, new story, new talents in his movies and this singles out him from others. Giving publicity and promoting his movies was really a matter of pride. S Narayan has reached the great height in sandalwood because of his disciplined time sense and thought provoking initiatives, he added.

MLA BK Sangameshwar, who presided over the function, said that S Narayan and Doddanna were the two icons of Bhadravati in sandalwood. He assured all support and cooperation as long as the shooting went on in Bhadravati.

Hero of ‘Dushta’, Pankaj, heroin girl Surabhi, Bhagyavathi Narayan, Mohan Naidu and cinematographer Wali were present. Dramatist and litterateur H N Sathya, who welcomed and later anchored the programme, said that the movie ‘Dushta’ depicted the social and family scenario of a drifted away young man.

S Narayan, who recollected the day he walked to Bangalore from Bhadravati in search of an opportunity in sandalwood, said that to avoid such ordeal to the local talents the opportunity had come to their doorsteps. He also garlanded the erstwhile friends of Bhadravati with whom he studied and played.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Government is betraying farmers - KT Gangadhara

Working president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha KT Gangadhar expressed his displeasure about water not being released into Tunga and Bhadra canals in press conference at Bhadravati on Saturday

Water resource department, Bhadravat Reservoir right bank and left bank canal officials and the state government were letting the farmers down by not adhering to the schedule of stopping and releasing the water from the Bhadra reservoir into its left and right bank canals, alleged the working president of the Karnataka State Raitha Sangha KT Gangachar.

Elucidating the hardships faced by the farmers depending on the Bhadra left bank and right bank canals of the Bhadra Reservoir to the mediamen in a press conference held at Patrika Bhavan on Saturday, he retaliated that the reservoir officials and the government had failed in adhering to the schedule of water release.

The crop design policy is emphasized by the government. But, the implementation of the canal repair works is always delayed for the reasons best known to the irrigation department officials and the contractors. The history goes on repeating leaving the farmers strayed from meeting the water requirement to their farms, he lamented.

Both central and state governments provide crores of rupees in the budget for agricultural heads. Out of the seventy thousand crore earmarked for the agricultural development only thirty thousand crore rupees have been released so far. Likewise Karnataka government had earmarked three hundred crore rupees for the rejuvenating activities to facilitate the water supply to farms. This also has not been a reality since the action plan for the scheme was delayed hindering the implementation of schemes, he pointed out.

Government was following discriminatory policy in disbursing the compensation to the debt-ridden farmers who were committing suicide. The categorization of farmers as small and big considering the area of landholding was not fair. The compensation should be distributed irrespective of such discrimination, he demanded.

Replying a query KT Gangadhar charged that water resource department, government and the secretariat were defunct and streamlining the utilization of the water resource was totally neglected. Farmers were invited for the irrigation consultative committee (ICC) meetings only and they had no say in the command area development authority (CADA) functioning. The schedule of water release into the canals was always violated only to betray the farmers. The water from the Bhadra reservoir is left into Bhadra river. Although the district has two reservoirs in addition to Gondi canal project farmers were facing water scarcity and more so during the prime time of sowing. Sugarcane and paddy crops were affected worst this time. The objectives of national water mission were being defeated totally, he criticized. The political parties that ruled our states so far have failed to protect the interests of the farmers, he accused.

Intensified agitation will be launched by the KRRS if the government did not release the water into Tunga and Bhadra canals immediately, he sounded a warning bell. Jayaram, K Benakappa, Yeshwanth Rao Ghorpade, Veeresh, Ramachandra, Shivakumar, Emmehatti Mallikarujna and others were present.