CM Siddaramaiah orders district in-charge ministers to inspect flood-hit areas in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday directed district in-charge ministers and in-charge secretaries to personally visit areas affected by monsoon rains and floods.
He also convened a meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Zilla Panchayat CEOs and district in-charge secretaries on May 30 and 31 to review the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
"In the wake of heavy rains across the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed district ministers and district in-charge secretaries to immediately visit flood-affected areas and supervise the relief work," his office said in a statement.
The Chief Minister gathered information from the officials about the rain-induced damage and directed them to take precautionary measures.
He has instructed district ministers and district in-charge secretaries to promptly visit the areas affected by heavy rains and flood, conducting a comprehensive review of the situation, it said.
According to officials, till May 26, a total of 45 houses were completely damaged and 1,385 homes partially damaged in the state due to rains. Out of them 99 per cent have been provided financial assistance.
As of May 26, there is a grant of Rs 97,351.95 lakhs in the district and taluk level PD (Personal Deposit) accounts for disaster management, they said.
Siddaramaiah also instructed the DCs and district in-charge secretaries to monitor the flood situation and expedite relief work.
The Chief Secretary to the government has been asked to convene a meeting of DCs, CEOs and district in-charge secretaries on May 30 and 31 to conduct a comprehensive review in this regard, the release said.
According to officials, 170 taluks in the state have been identified as flood/landslide prone, and 2,296 care or shelter centres have been identified as a precautionary measure.
They said that 201 places under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits have been identified as flood-prone areas.
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Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
