Mandya: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) announced that a proposal seeking Rs. 100 crore under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme has been submitted to the Union Tourism Ministry for the development of historical monuments in Srirangapatna.

Presiding over the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the Mandya Zilla Panchayat Cauvery Auditorium on Friday, Kumaraswamy said the initiative aims to promote tourism and generate employment for the local youth.

“Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been apprised of the importance of developing tourism destinations in Srirangapatna. Funds are expected to be released soon, following which developmental works will begin,” he stated.

Release water to lakes, canals

HDK also directed officials to release water into lakes and canals, citing copious rainfall in Cauvery catchment area and the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam reaching maximum capacity.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumara said that precautionary measures had been taken to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. “While releasing 1.50 lakh cusecs poses no issue, releasing 1.75 lakh cusecs may cause problems. A task force has been formed to mitigate potential damage,” he noted.

He added that water had been released to canals until June 20. However, modernisation work near Kanaganamaradi in Pandavapura taluk has caused delays. “Engineers have requested 10 more days to complete the work, after which water will be released,” the DC explained.

Responding to concerns raised by DISHA Committee Member and former MLA Dr. K. Annadani about water not reaching Malavalli, Cauvery Niravari Nigam Limited Superintending Engineer Raghuram said that of the 170 lakes in Maddur and Malavalli, many are full, while 25 percent capacity has been reached in 17 others. He added that water would be released towards Hebbakawadi once canal modernisation is completed.

Rise in teenage pregnancy

MLA Ravikumar Ganiga raised concerns about the rise in teenage pregnancies. In response, Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department S. Rajamurthy said that the number of such cases had dropped significantly compared to the 134 reported last year.

“Regular review meetings are being held by the DC and ZP CEO. Awareness programmes are also being conducted in rural areas to curb child marriages and teenage pregnancies,” he added.

Kumaraswamy directed the Health Department to intensify awareness programmes to prevent female foeticide. Referring to a recent incident in which a child died en route to Mandya due to lack of timely medical attention, he asked officials to address ambulance shortages in the district without delay.

Fewer fatalities on highway

DC Dr. Kumara reported a noticeable decline in accidents along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway. Fatalities dropped from 109 in 2023 to 80 in 2024, with 43 reported so far in 2025.

“AI cameras have been installed at multiple locations to monitor and enforce traffic rules. A total of Rs. 3.18 crore has been collected in fines this year, compared to Rs. 2.16 crore last year,” he said.

During the meeting, Kumaraswamy also distributed six laptops and hearing aids to differently abled students under the CSR initiative of M.S. Ramaiah Group of Institutions.

MLA H.T. Manju, ZP CEO K.R. Nandini and SP Mallikarjun Baladandi were also present.

MLA Ravi Ganiga seeks Kumaraswamy’s blessings

In an unusual moment, Mandya Congress MLA Ravikumar Ganiga sought the blessings of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy by touching his feet before the DISHA meeting commenced at the ZP auditorium. He then felicitated the Minister with a shawl and a garland of cardamom. This is the second time MLA Ganiga has publicly sought Kumaraswamy’s blessings during a DISHA meeting. Notably, while Kumaraswamy has chaired two such meetings in Mandya so far, all Congress MLAs — except Ravikumar Ganiga and Independent MLA Darshan Puttannaiah — along with two MLCs, have stayed away.