Neera tapping will not be allowed: CM

By Our Correspondent

MADDUR (MANDYA DT.), AUG. 11. The Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, has said that the Government will stick to its decision not to allow farmers to tap neera from coconut palms.

Mr. Krishna, who represents Maddur Assembly constituency, was here to listen to the grievances of the people. Speaking to presspersons later, he said the Government was not convinced that tapping neera would help control the mites which had infested coconut palms in many parts of the State. The use of pesticides was a better method of controlling the pest, he said, adding that the Government would go ahead with a co-ordinated programme for the application of pesticides on coconut palms in the affected districts.

The Central team, which visited the State to assess the drought, would be submitting its report to the Union Government on Monday, Mr. Krishna said. A committee of ministers would study the report and recommend the quantum of assistance to be provided to the State. The Centre would be issuing an order on Monday granting one lakh tonnes of foodgrains to the State for the ``food for work'' programme. The foodgrains would be distributed in the areas where the drought was acute, he said.

Asked about the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project, he said it would be implemented as soon as environmental clearance was obtained. In addition, the existing Bangalore- Mysore highway would be upgraded. It would be made a four-lane highway from Bangalore to Maddur.

The Chief Minister said there always was opposition from some quarters to development projects. It should be kept in mind that these projects were conceived with an eye on the future and that they would benefit the coming generations.

Mr. Krishna said the Government would reform the education system based on the recommendations of the task force headed by Dr. Raja Ramanna. There was opposition to some of the proposals, and the Government was examining the matter. But the Government was convinced that the system needed change and would ensure that the reforms were carried out.

On the operations against Veerappan, he said the Special Task Force had been given a free hand to nab the brigand. There would be no political interference in the operations of the task force, he said.

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Section  : Southern States
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