Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Mar 16: Feeling disillusioned by the fact that efforts put under his leadership for carving out of a separate Hebri taluk in Udupi district failed to materialize, Hebri block Congress president and convener of Hebri Taluk Creation Action Committee, Neere Krishna Shetty, has resigned from the post of block Congress president.

"We have been pursuing the demand for creation of Hebri taluk since the last 25 years. The present government again failed to give taluk status to Hebri. I am disappointed and hurt. Four years back, the then chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, had created 43 new taluks as per popular demand, leaving Hebri alone in the lurch. I am disappointed at the fact that our own party government in the state too has failed to live up to our expectations. Therefore, I have resigned," Shetty explained. He clarified that he will continue as a primary member of Congress party.

Shetty recollected that the taluk reorganization committee formed under the leadership of M B Prakash had, in its report submitted in 2012, recommended for creation of Hebri taluk alone additionally in Udupi district, considering various positive aspects it enjoys. He added that the overlooking of a long-pending demand for creation of Hebri taluk has disappointed party cadres. He also clarified that he decided to resign from his post as a measure of protest for rejecting a long-standing, just demand for taluk status for Hebri that would have heralded a new era in the development of rural belt of the district, decision of the party leaders to overlook the claim of Hebri for taluk status, and the yardsticks employed by the government for deciding on creation of fresh taluks.

Neere Krishna Shetty

At the same time, Hebri block Congress secretary, Naveen Adyantaya, said that the government has shown partiality in neglecting Hebri's claim to being recognized as taluk. He said he has decided to resign from the post of block Congress secretary as well as primary membership of the party.

At the same time, local BJP MLA and chief whip of the opposition in the state assembly, V Sunil Kumar, has criticized the state government for denying Hebri its rightful demand for taluk status. He pointed out that reports by experts and several committees had recommended to carve out Hebri taluk. He blamed the government for announcing new taluks without making scientific study. He said that the people from this region, who live around thick forests, have to travel 30 to 40 km to reach taluk headquarters to get their work done. He has therefore, urged the state government to review its decision and include Hebri in the list of newly created taluks.