Centre has not given a single paisa for Kodagu disaster affected: Minister UT Khader
'Pratap Simha lacks information'
Mangaluru, Dec 9: "The central government has not given a single paisa for the rehabilitation of affected people in Kodagu natural disasters. Without knowing proper information, MP Pratap Simha has given statements just for publicity. If the centre has given the funds, let him give statistics", challenged Urban Development and Housing Minister UT Khader.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the Minister said that when the natural disaster struck Kodagu district, it was state government which invested Rs 9.40 crore to construct houses for those who lost houses and became a model to the country. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has just sent an order saying that it would give Rs 546.21 crore for Kodagu rehabilitation work. But the centre has not yet released a single rupee for the purpose. NDRF funds would be equally distributed to 8 districts including Kodagu where natural disaster struck them. It was not just limited to the state. It was a routine process that NDRF would sanction funds to all states for that purpose. If Rs 546.21 crore was distributed equally for all eight districts, each district would get Rs 60 crore which will not suffice to develop just Sampaje road. Kodagu district was declared natural disaster hit district. But the Center has not declared a special package for Kodagu district, he said.
On humanitarian ground, both Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar released funds. When the houses were collapsed, the state government has given Rs 1 lakh and additional Rs 50,000 compensation against the norms. When there was a problem in North Karnataka during BJP administration, the affected people had to live in sheds for more than six months. But the coalition government has been giving house rent for the families which lost houses. Instead of single bed-room houses, the government has made available double bed-room houses, he said.
If the Lok Sabha Member has concerns and responsibility towards Kodagu people, he should have spoken in the Parliament and asked special package. Instead of speaking about such development works, he has spoken against the Chief Minister for publicity, he said.
Single window system to avoid middlemen
Implementing single window system would avoid the harassment and middlemen menace. The government would officially inaugurate single window system on December 15. Earlier, getting approval for house construction, layout planning and other works would have taken several months. In coming days, such works would be completed within a month and it was a model project to the entire country, he claimed.
People were facing lot of problems. Applications of some people were being rejected despite submitting all records and applications of some others were being accepted even though there were no proper records. In future, such complications would not happen. Officers of all concerned departments would attend the spot inspection and they would upload all information on the spot. All officials would get prior information on spot inspection date, time and details about the place to their mobile phones. This would ensure transparent administration as everything would be digitalized, he said.
Toll-free number for sand distribution
Sand distribution process started in the district since 15 days. If the people called over a temporary number, they would be supplied sand. In coming days, a toll-free number would be started to avoid middlemen. The Sand Distribution Monitoring Committee would fix the price on this new system. The City Corporation would collect sand from Thumbe vented dam and supply it to the people, the minister said.
Self licencing system
For getting NOC to construct 30x40 houses, it would take long time in the existing system. But in coming days, the beneficiaries could get the self licence just by uploading all the documents to the website. If the system was successful in the district, it would be extended to the entire state in future, Khader said.
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Man held for cheating IT official by posing as 'parrot astrologer'
Bengaluru (PTI): A 59-year-old man was arrested for allegedly duping an Income Tax department official by posing as a "parrot astrologer" and promising career growth and better life through rituals, police said on Wednesday.
With the arrest of the accused astrologer Shekar, police claimed to have recovered gold ornaments weighing 124 grams and silver articles weighing 796 grams, with a total value of Rs 20.60 lakh.
The matter came to light after the victim, who is a senior administrative officer in the Income Tax department, lodged a complaint at Bharatinagar police station here on March 5, police said.
According to police, in the complaint, the victim stated that while passing near Sri Circle, he was approached by a person claiming to practise parrot astrology. The accused called him over, claimed he could predict the future by looking at his face, and convinced him to perform a ritual.
Initially, the accused collected Rs 50,000 from the complainant. Later, he allegedly told the victim that an elaborate ritual was necessary for career promotion, transfer, and overall improvement in life, and threatened that failure to do so would bring misfortune, he alleged.
"Under this pretext, the accused took 194 grams of gold ornaments and 1.3 kg of silver articles from the complainant, assuring they would be returned after the ritual," police said.
When the complainant later demanded the return of the valuables, the accused allegedly threatened him, they said.
During the investigation, police gathered credible information and apprehended the accused near Cantonment Railway Station on March 12 and upon interrogation, he confessed to committing the offence with the intention of making quick money, a senior police officer said.
He was produced before a court on March 13 and taken into police custody for five days.
During sustained questioning, the accused revealed that he had sold the stolen gold and silver items at a jewellery shop in Halasuru. Based on his information, police recovered 124 grams of gold ornaments and 796 grams of silver articles from the shop on March 15, valued at Rs 20.60 lakh, the officer said.
The accused was again produced before the court on March 17 and was remanded to judicial custody, he added.
