Rs 115 cr released to Kodagu: Minister SR Mahesh
Relief and rehabilitation works
Madikeri, August 29: District Minister SR Mahesh said that the state government has so far released total Rs 115 crore to take up relief works in the ravaged district.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, the Minister said that in the first phase, Rs 5 crore was released and in the second phase Rs 20 crore and in the third phase, the government has released Rs 85 crore. Now, following the direction from the Chief Minister, he was releasing Rs 25 crore from Tourism department. For all the 1,736 flood-affected people, Rs 3,800 each was given to them. So far, 16 persons died in the flood-related incidents and compensation was issued to the family members of 14 people, he said.
The meeting held under the chairmanship of the district minister opined that the houses should be constructed for the affected people near their places. Special additional deputy commissioner Jagadeesh said that in order to put up temporary sheds for the victims, the district administration has identified 7 acres of land near Garagandur, 4.80 acre of land near RTO office and 3.70 acre of land near Biligeri. There is a land belonging to the Horticulture department and sheds could also be put up temporarily, he said.
MLA KG Bopaiah advised the district administration to construct the houses for the affected people in their places. Most of the affected people had own houses constructed at a cost of minimum Rs 40-50 lakhs and those would not come forward to live in sheds. So, they should be given at least 10 cents of land, he said.
Minister Mahesh said that among affected people, there were people who were living in line houses and there were others who were living in good houses. So, such people would be identified and houses would be constructed in their respective gram panchayat limits, he said.
Because of the floods and landslides, there was huge damage in six gram panchayat limits and all the families in those gram panchayats should be distributed food kits through fair price shops without leaving scope for any misappropriation or lapses, the minister directed to Food and Civil Supplies department deputy director.
Deputy Commissioner PI Srividya said that total 2,108 km rural roads were damaged due to flood. The children of the affected families should be admitted to the nearby schools and distribute the textbooks and notebooks and uniforms, she directed DDPI.
MLA MP Appachu Ranjan said that a hostel should be started at Hattihole. He also directed the KSRTC officials to issue bus passes to those who have lost their passes in the incident and asked the KSRTC to run minibuses immediately to Hattihole, Surlabi, Garvale, Shantalli and other routes.
The Minister said that as there was a chance to spread contagious diseases due to flood situation, the authorities should take care to contain any such diseases. Health and family welfare department officials should take precautions, he said.
MLCs Sunil Subramani, Veena Achhaiah, district secretary Anbu Kumar, SP Suman D Pannekar, ZP CEO Prashanth Kumar Mishra, Dr Richard Vincent D’Souza, Charulata Somal and others were present at the meeting.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Congress voices concern over safety of minorities in Bangladesh
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the "atmosphere of insecurity" being faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
In a statement, Chairman of the party's Media and Publicity Department Pawan Khera said, "The Indian National Congress expects the government of India to prevail upon the Bangladesh government to take necessary steps and ensure security of life and property of minorities in the country".
"The Indian National Congress expresses its deep concern at the atmosphere of insecurity being faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. The arrest of the ISCKON monk is the latest example," he said.
A lawyer was killed on Tuesday during clashes between security personnel and followers of Das, who was denied bail and sent to jail by a court in the port city of Chattogram in Bangladesh in a sedition case.
Das, the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka a day earlier.
India on Tuesday noted with "deep concern" the arrest and denial of bail to the Hindu leader, and urged authorities in the neighbouring country to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all other minority groups.
Bangladesh reacted sharply to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, saying it was unfounded and stood contrary to the spirit of friendship between the two countries.
In its statement, Dhaka said it does not interfere with the country's judiciary, which is fully independent
