Is the Chief Minister Concerned about the UPCL affected people..?

By Subhash Marne
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 10 May 2011: Is the state government really concerned about the sufferings of the farmers and  other affected people due to the environmental problems created by the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL)? The attempt to avoid meeting these people by  the chief .minister, Yddyurappa on Monday, May 9, 2011 prompted one to think that the government is least concerned about these people.

 

The chief minister could spend nearly two and a half hour in attending a religious ceremony, visit the home of an MLA, inquire about the health of a minister, but he could not spare even two minutes time  to meet the agitating farmers who had been waiting for him on the road.

 

Thought he chief minister who was attending the Atirudrayaga in the  Parashuram Kshetra at Kuthyar had mentioned to the media persons that he will be meeting the farmers and residents who have been affected by the UPCL, within one hour, he forgot about his assurance and took a helicopter and flew away leaving the farmers in the lurch who had been eagerly waiting for him with appeals in their hands.

 

The UPCL affected farmers and other residents of the area had given an application to the district authorities to enable them to meet the chief minister who would be visiting Udupi on May 9, 2011. Accordingly, the district administration had made arrangements for the concerned people to meet the chief minister at the tourist house at 10 am on Monday, May 9. The farmers and other people had been waiting at the spot from 9 am in anticipation of meeting the chief minister and presenting their grievances to him.

 

The chief minister who had arrived at Kuthyar at 7 am along with the Power Minister, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje for the Atirudrayaga where he spent one hour and thereafter he went to the residence of MLA Raghupati Bhat to felicitate the MLA’s son who had his Brahmopadesha (thread ceremony)  on Sunday, May 8, 2011. From there he visited the residence of the Guardian Minister of Udupi District, Dr. V.S. Acharaya who was unwell. After inquiring about his health, chief minister yeddyurappa directly proceeded to Adi-Udupi Helipad and flew to Sagar at 9.15 am.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, more than 50 farmers and UPCL affected people who had been wating for the arrival of the chief minister were informed by the district officials the chief minister would not be meeting them as he had already left Udupi. Realizing that  they have been left high and dry by the chief minister, the farmers and other people shouted slogans against the chief minister and staged their protest. The President of the Raita Sangha-Vijaykumar Hegde who was leading the agitation accused Dr. V.S. Acharya and Sadananada Gowda (MP) whom he considers to be working in favour of the UPCL, deliberately misguiding the chief minister and preventing his meeting with the agitating farmers.

 

In order to pacify the agitating farmers, the police made a suggestion that the agitators can present their memorandum to the District Officer. However, as the District Officer also did not meet the agitators, they shouted slogans against him as well.

 

The agitating farmers questioned the wisdom of the chief minister for spending two and a half hour attending religious ceremonies, visiting MLA’s house and minister’s residence, but not finding even five minutes to meet the people who have been suffering untold miseries due to the fly-ash of the UPCL. The angry farmers said that they would strongly protest whenever the chief minister would land in Udupi next time. The disappointment and anger of the agitating farmers and the UPCL project affected people are justified.