“We Don’t Want Distant Arakera; We Want Nearby Devadurga”: Five Villages Unanimously Demand Re-Merger with Devadurga Taluk
“We Don’t Want Distant Arakera; We Want Nearby Devadurga”: Five Villages Unanimously Demand Re-Merger with Devadurga Taluk
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Arakera, November 3: More than 920 residents from five villages under Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat have unanimously demanded that their villages be re-included in Devadurga Taluk instead of Arakera Taluk.
The villages include Somanamaradi, B.R. Gunda, Makaladoddi, Nagalapur and Sampathrayanadoddi, which were previously brought under Arakera Taluk.
A public opinion gathering meeting was held at Somanamaradi village on Tuesday at 11:00 AM under the leadership of the Arakera Tahsildar and Taluk Panchayat officials. A large number of residents from all five villages participated in the meeting and expressed their support for re-merging the villages with Devadurga Taluk by raising their hands.
Long Distance to Arakera Creates Difficulties
The residents explained that Somanamaradi is approximately 46 km from Arakera Taluk headquarters, while Sampathrayanadoddi is 51 km, B.R. Gunda is 47 km, Makaladoddi is 45 km and Nagalapur is 48 km away.
Due to the long distance, farmers, ordinary citizens and beneficiaries of various government schemes face considerable difficulties while travelling to Arakera to access government services and complete official work.
The Jalahalli Hobli of Devadurga Taluk is geographically closer to these villages. Somanamaradi is approximately 6 km from Jalahalli, while Makaladoddi is just 4 km away. Therefore, residents believe that including these villages in Devadurga Taluk would be more appropriate from both geographical and administrative perspectives.
Essential Infrastructure Available in Jalahalli
Jalahalli Hobli has essential public facilities, including a hospital, Community Health Centre, police station, colleges, higher educational institutions, veterinary hospital, Raitha Samparka Kendra, electricity facilities and banking services.
It also has important road connectivity, including National Highways 150A and 61. Therefore, residents stated that re-merging these villages with Devadurga Taluk would provide greater convenience and save valuable time and travel expenses.
Residents also expressed dissatisfaction that their opinions were not adequately collected before these villages were included in the newly formed Arakera Taluk. As a result, people are now forced to travel long distances to access government facilities and services.
Gram Panchayat Resolution Already Passed
The Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat had already passed a resolution during its general meeting held on March 24, 2025, demanding that the five villages be included in Devadurga Taluk.
Now, once again, public opinion has been collected, and the signatures of the villagers who attended the meeting have been officially recorded.
Citing Section 4(2)(a) of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, and the relevant legal provisions, the residents urged the district administration and the state government to take immediate steps to re-include the five villages in Devadurga Taluk, considering geographical conditions, public convenience and administrative interests.
Officials and Villagers Participate
Arakera Tahsildar Amaresh, Taluk Panchayat Planning Officer Annarao, Jalahalli Police Station PSI Vaishali Jalaki, Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat Development Officers and several village representatives participated in the meeting.
Among those present were Basayya Swamy, Mahadev Yadav, advocate Vasanth Kumar, Moula Sab, Sanganna, advocate Basavaraj Ganadal, Shivu Patil Ganadal, Sabanna Kamaladinni, Sabanna Hugar, Sabanna Talawar, Kariyappa Malipatil, Hanumanth Bingi, Nabagouda Durgappa, B.R. Gunda's Venkatesh, B.R. Gunda's Channabasava and Shivanagouda Kakkaladoddi.
More than 920 residents from the five villages attended the meeting and strongly supported the demand for re-merger with Devadurga Taluk.
NEED 24 NEWS
Arakera, November 3: More than 920 residents from five villages under Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat have unanimously demanded that their villages be re-included in Devadurga Taluk instead of Arakera Taluk.
The villages include Somanamaradi, B.R. Gunda, Makaladoddi, Nagalapur and Sampathrayanadoddi, which were previously brought under Arakera Taluk.
A public opinion gathering meeting was held at Somanamaradi village on Tuesday at 11:00 AM under the leadership of the Arakera Tahsildar and Taluk Panchayat officials. A large number of residents from all five villages participated in the meeting and expressed their support for re-merging the villages with Devadurga Taluk by raising their hands.
Long Distance to Arakera Creates Difficulties
The residents explained that Somanamaradi is approximately 46 km from Arakera Taluk headquarters, while Sampathrayanadoddi is 51 km, B.R. Gunda is 47 km, Makaladoddi is 45 km and Nagalapur is 48 km away.
Due to the long distance, farmers, ordinary citizens and beneficiaries of various government schemes face considerable difficulties while travelling to Arakera to access government services and complete official work.
The Jalahalli Hobli of Devadurga Taluk is geographically closer to these villages. Somanamaradi is approximately 6 km from Jalahalli, while Makaladoddi is just 4 km away. Therefore, residents believe that including these villages in Devadurga Taluk would be more appropriate from both geographical and administrative perspectives.
Essential Infrastructure Available in Jalahalli
Jalahalli Hobli has essential public facilities, including a hospital, Community Health Centre, police station, colleges, higher educational institutions, veterinary hospital, Raitha Samparka Kendra, electricity facilities and banking services.
It also has important road connectivity, including National Highways 150A and 61. Therefore, residents stated that re-merging these villages with Devadurga Taluk would provide greater convenience and save valuable time and travel expenses.
Residents also expressed dissatisfaction that their opinions were not adequately collected before these villages were included in the newly formed Arakera Taluk. As a result, people are now forced to travel long distances to access government facilities and services.
Gram Panchayat Resolution Already Passed
The Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat had already passed a resolution during its general meeting held on March 24, 2025, demanding that the five villages be included in Devadurga Taluk.
Now, once again, public opinion has been collected, and the signatures of the villagers who attended the meeting have been officially recorded.
Citing Section 4(2)(a) of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, and the relevant legal provisions, the residents urged the district administration and the state government to take immediate steps to re-include the five villages in Devadurga Taluk, considering geographical conditions, public convenience and administrative interests.
Officials and Villagers Participate
Arakera Tahsildar Amaresh, Taluk Panchayat Planning Officer Annarao, Jalahalli Police Station PSI Vaishali Jalaki, Somanamaradi Gram Panchayat Development Officers and several village representatives participated in the meeting.
Among those present were Basayya Swamy, Mahadev Yadav, advocate Vasanth Kumar, Moula Sab, Sanganna, advocate Basavaraj Ganadal, Shivu Patil Ganadal, Sabanna Kamaladinni, Sabanna Hugar, Sabanna Talawar, Kariyappa Malipatil, Hanumanth Bingi, Nabagouda Durgappa, B.R. Gunda's Venkatesh, B.R. Gunda's Channabasava and Shivanagouda Kakkaladoddi.
More than 920 residents from the five villages attended the meeting and strongly supported the demand for re-merger with Devadurga Taluk.