Bopaiah demands transparency in wildlife control spending

Madikeri: Former speaker and ex-MLA KG Bopaiah on Tuesday called for transparency regarding expenditure on railway barricades, highlighting the govt's inadequate response to wildlife attacks leading to man-elephant conflict in the district.
Speaking to reporters, he said previous special funding for district road development under the Kodagu package should be continued as per the Nanjundappa Commission recommendations. He contended that the state govt is negligent towards Kodagu, noting that compensation for wildlife attack victims remains unchanged from Rs 15 lakh, with delays in crop compensation due to depleted govt funds.
He questioned the utilisation of funds allocated for wildlife control, saying Rs 250 crore was allocated last year and Rs 350 crore this year, and demanded public disclosure of expenditure details and implemented control measures.
District BJP president Napanda Ravi Kalappa welcomed finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's proposal of zero income tax up to Rs 12 lakh and reduced medicine prices. Former MLC MP Sunil Subramani said the Union budget will spur job growth and healthcare improvements.