Kolar, 20 Feb

Kolar MLA Kottur Manjunath has stirred controversy by stating that elected representatives of the Vemagal area should consider taking steps to cut off the power supply to industries located in the industrial zone near Vemagal.

Speaking at a meeting of the newly formed Pattana Panchayat of Vemagal in the State on Thursday, the legislator alleged that authorities of private companies in the industrial area have been ill-treating elected representatives and failing to accord them due respect.

He claimed that none of the elected representatives from Vemagal were invited to the inauguration of the final assembly line of Airbus Helicopters, which was inaugurated on Tuesday by the Union Defence Minister.

Expressing displeasure, he said that since the company authorities did not formally invite members of the Vemagal Pattana Panchayat, he chose to boycott the event and also requested the district in-charge Minister Byrathi Suresh to stay away.

Kottur Manjunath further alleged that such industrial establishments have brought little benefit to residents.

He argued that people who lost their lands have not received meaningful employment, and warned that action could be taken to disrupt the power supply if separate transformers are not installed.