Deputy commissioner’s nod is awaited, say KER office-bearers.

The office-bearers of Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga (KER) said that they are ready to distribute free meals during Theerthodbhava if the DC grants permission.

Addressing a press meet, office-bearer B S Thammaiah said that the people of the district have been urging to allow Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga and other organisations to distribute meals to the devotees. “If the Deputy Commissioner gives us the permission, then we are ready to distribute meals within 24 hours.”

“We had started distributing meals to the devotees way back in 1991. In fact, Talacauvery did not have any facilities during 1991. Since, then we have been distributing meals to the devotees with the help of donors,” he said and added that “Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga had filed a case against Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah in connection with the laying of Kadamakal Road. In turn, we have been asked not to serve meals during Theerthodbhava since last year.”

In fact, several organisations had pressurised Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga (KER) to distribute meals to the devotees last year.

“However, we did not want to enter into any rift in the holy place. Hence, we did not take part in meal distribution programme last year,” Thammaiah clarified.

The regulations of the Muzrai department clearly states that various organisations should be allowed to distribute free meals if they wish to do so in temples. However, the temple administration committee has violated the rules and has kept KER away from the meal distribution.

Office-bearer M K Appacchu said that a committee which had distributed meals last year had shown the expenses as lakhs of rupees.

“We have not shown such an expense.The committee would have swallowed the money,” he alleged.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District> Madikeri / DHNS, September 25th, 2012