By P.T. Bopanna
Though Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna carries a good image in Kodagu (Coorg), his work at the grassroots level has been uninspiring. From the time he became an MLA, I have been highlighting that power supply is the most critical problem in the district. Though he was responsive initially by appointing a special officer to look into the power supply grievances, he failed to resolve the issue satisfactorily.
There are only 235 among the total 638 sanctioned posts of linemen in the district. The remaining 403 posts are lying vacant. Compared to the previous year, 40 linemen are less this time.
Though Ponnanna has good equation with chief minister Siddaramaiah, he has failed to prevail upon the chief minister to solve the basic problems of the district.
More than 1,200 electricity poles were damaged during the monsoon in the district in the past three months. The CESC is facing acute shortage of linemen as there is no sufficient staff to do the work.
Instead of working towards building up his image through clever public relations, he should concentrate on the work which will ease the problems of the common man.
I know it is a fact that Siddaramaiah government is using all its resources to meet the expenses involved in fulfilling the Congress guarantees, and there is hardly any funds left for even meeting routine expenses.
Unlike the record of the previous Virajpet MLA, Ponnanna has been successful in reaching out all sections of the people.
Incidentally, the admirers of Ponnanna are celebrating his 50th birthday on July 9. Here is wishing him well in advance on his birthday. Being a journalist, I have to function as a watchdog of society. Hence, my critical appraisal of Ponnanna should be taken in the right spirit. I personally feel Ponnanna is one of the best leaders to emerge in Kodagu in the recent years.
