Govt gave only false assurances, says centenarian Salumarada Thimmakka

Udupi, July 24: Environmentalist Salumarada Thimmakka has accused the BJP-led State government of failing to fulfill its promises.

Speaking to media persons during after the inaugural function of Students' Forum at the Government First Grade College at Hiriyadka village in Udupi district on Monday, she said that State Government should keep its promise to set up a hospital in her village Hulikal in Magadi taluk of Bangalore Rural district.

She said that she had been urging the State Government for the last eight years to set up a government hospital in Hulikal, where about 3,500 people resided.

Her adopted grandson Ballur Umesh, who was with her, said the Government should do something for Thimmakka when she was alive.

But it only kept giving her false assurances. When B.S. Yeddyurappa became Chief Minister, he had sanctioned a house in Surya city area of Bangalore and a hospital for Hulikal village in recognition of Ms. Thimmakka's work.

D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who succeeded Mr. Yeddyurappa as the Chief Minister, sanctioned an amount of Rs. 5 lakh to Ms. Thimmakka. “But Ms. Thimmakka did not get the house, the hospital or the money,” he said.

Replying to a question, Ms. Thimmakka said that she had planted 800 trees in Hulikal village along with her husband the late Chikkanna.

She said other than the old age pension of Rs. 400 per month, she got nothing from the Government.

Asked how she looked fit and fine, Ms. Thimmakka, who claims to be 100 years old, said: “I eat 'ragi mudde' twice a day”.