Mysore/Mysuru: Sericulture Department Deputy Director C. Nagendrappa said that work on establishing a Silk Cocoon Market on 2.18 acres at the APMC Market premises in Bandipalya on the Mysuru-Nanjangud Road will begin in May.

He was speaking at a progress review meeting chaired by Mysuru District In-charge Secretary S. Selvakumar at the Zilla Panchayat Hall here yesterday.

Nagendrappa said that the Sericulture Department headquarters in Bengaluru has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the market and the Government has allotted 2.18 acres in the APMC yard for the project. The existing cocoon market at Bandipalya will be shifted to the new location once the facility is ready.

At present, the Mysuru market receives about 20 to 25 lots daily, while the new market will have the capacity to handle up to 60 lots, he added.

Normal rainfall

Joint Director of Agriculture K.H. Ravi said that the district has received 94.8 percent of its normal rainfall so far. However, sowing of ragi was affected due to a shortfall of rain in September last year. With rainfall returning to normal later, ragi has now been sown across about 26,000 acres in the district.

He said there was no shortage of fertilisers or sowing seeds. However, the Government has been sent a proposal regarding the growing demand among farmers for agricultural equipment. The matter has also been brought to the notice of the District In-charge Minister seeking release of funds, he added.

Animal Husbandry Department Deputy Director Dr. C. Nagaraj appealed to the administration to exempt Veterinary Department staff from Census duty, as the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccination drive for cattle will begin in the district from April 23. He said deputing staff for Census work would affect the  vaccination campaign.

Responding to the request, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. P. Shivaraju said the District Administration is already facing a shortage of about 400 personnel for Census work. However, the request could be considered if additional staff is available after the final listing of enumerators.

Jal Jeevan Mission

The Executive Engineer of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department said that out of 1,890 works taken up under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), 1,722 have been completed and the rest are in progress. Under the ‘Har Ghar’ initiative, 755 out of 1,128 villages have been declared complete, while the remaining villages will be covered in phases.

District Health Officer Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy said the Health Department has taken necessary measures to prevent the outbreak of epidemic diseases with the onset of summer and has also initiated steps to reduce mortality rates.

An interesting discussion also took place regarding the handover of a Boys’ Hostel. Public Works Department Executive Engineer Padmanabha said the hostel building has been completed and only needs to be handed over.

However, the District Officer of the Minorities Welfare Department said the department had not yet taken possession of the building due to a lack of safety measures, although the Girls’ Hostel has already been handed over.

Questioning the delay, Selvakumar asked why safety concerns had been raised only in the case of the Boys’ Hostel when no such issue had arisen with the Girls’ Hostel. After hearing both sides, he directed officials of the two departments to meet the District In-charge Minister and resolve the issue. He also instructed them to start hostel admissions at the earliest.

Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, Chief Planning Officer K.B. Prabhuswamy, Deputy Secretary Savitha and officials of various departments were present.