Shimsha gets ` 3cr for development

Festivities are a good excuse for effecting development. In the wake of the Gaganachukki Jalapathothsava, a blueprint has been prepared for the overall development of Shivanasamudra in Malavalli taluk and the Public Works Department has already released Rs 3 crore for permanent works on the site of the waterfalls, said MLA P M Narendraswamy.

The MLA was speaking to media persons, after inspecting ongoing works, at Shivanasamudra, on Wednesday. “As per the proposal, 100 acres of land is needed to transform the site of the falls into a sophisticated tourist hub. The government already has 41 acres of land. The remaining land has to be acquired from private owners,” he said.

Reacting to objections raised by former MLA K Annadani, that it was not proper to hold the Jalapathothsava as the farmers in Malavalli taluk were suffering due to scarcity of water, Narendraswamy said, steps were being taken to fill lakes and ponds with Cauvery River water through canals. “Filling of lakes is an annual exercise. The engineers concerned are discharging their duty sincerely. Water will reach the tail-end farmlands and lakes shortly. The government is farmer-friendly and will not let them down at any cost,” he said.

Listing out the programmes, he said, Housing Minister Ambareesh would formally launch the celebrations at 6.35 pm on September 6, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would address the gathering at 6.30 during the valedictory function on September 7. “The CM has directed the Kannada and Culture department and the Tourism department to release Rs 40 lakh each for the Jalapathtothsava. Music director Arjun Jany’s troupe will present a musical evening on the first day and Raghu Dixit’s troupe will enthrall the audience on the second day,” he said.

On the inaugural day, writer C P Krishnakumar will flag off a procession of folk art troupes at 9.30 am. In the evening, MP C S Puttaraju will inaugurate the illumination and laser show. Entertainment programmes will begin at 10 am on the concluding day. Following saxophone concert by Rathnam Melkote, Hurugalavadi Ramaiah and troupe will sing folk songs and Nagachandrika Bhat will present a light music concert. A humour programme by Kuri Prathap has been organised later. The MLA said, special busses will ply from Mandya and Malavalli and all hobli headquarters in the taluk to ferry visitors. Food and drinking water arrangements will be made, he added.