Shivamogga: Primary and secondary education minister Madhu Bangarappa Wednesday raised concerns over environmental, health and infrastructure issues affecting the region.Speaking to reporters, he said unseasonal early rain had triggered fears of a disrupted monsoon, which could result in drinking water shortages and crop damage, particularly in his Soraba constituency.On the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) outbreak, the minister confirmed four deaths in Hosanagar, Sagar and Thirthahalli taluks. He said 10-bed wards had been prepared in every taluk. While a vaccine is still pending, he said 81 of the 104 infected persons have recovered.On infrastructure, Bangarappa said IndiGo flight services would be suspended from May 1 at Shivamogga Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport. He said he had already taken up the matter with industries and infrastructure minister MB Patil.On teacher recruitment, he said the govt is ready to hire 17,000 teachers once the reservation matrix is finalised. He said he intends to complete the recruitment within 85 days after legal clearances, possibly by June.Bangarappa also criticised the Central govt and local MPs over what he described as silence on tax injustice and the withholding of central grants to Karnataka. He alleged that state schemes were being deliberately stalled and said the Centre had failed to support Karnataka’s development despite public electoral support.
