Heavy Rains: Three dead so far in Chikmagalur district; 92 houses severely damaged
Chikamagalur: In Coffenadu, the monsoon arrived later than usual this year, but the past month has been marred by severe calamities caused by heavy rainfall. A staggering 97 houses in the district have been completely destroyed, and tragically, three lives have been lost. Additionally, the torrential rains have wreaked havoc on the region's crops, with 61.73 hectares of horticultural crops and 5815 hectares of agricultural crops suffering damage due to the combination of heavy rainfall and inadequate precipitation.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a video conversation with the District Collector, Zilla Panchayat CEO regarding the heavy rains and the district administration provided complete information about the losses in the district. According to the information provided by the district administration to the state government, three people have died in the rain so far in the district.
Mukesh of Ganjikere village, Lakkavali Hobali of Tarikere taluk was killed by lightning on July 11, while Kochiho of Ambedkar Nagar, Devammaju of Daradahalli in Ambedkar nagar of Mudigere Taluk died after falling to a stream on July 19. Both the deceased have been given compensation. On June 25, Revamma of Hossiddarahalli of Kadur taluk, was found dead after being washed away in the stream. The compensation will be given after the post-mortem report.
Damage to 97 houses across the district: Due to rain, 97 houses in the district completely collapsed and were damaged. Houses were Totally damaged, in Mudigere taluk 4 houses, 3 in Chikmagalur taluk, 1 house in Koppa.
There were 26 minor damages in the district, 5 in Chikmagalur taluk, 3 in Mudigere, 2 in Koppa, 5 in NR Pura, 6 in Kadur, 3 in Tarikere and 2 in Kalasa. 652 houses were partially damaged across the district, 12 in Chikmagalur taluk, 9 in Mudigere, 8 in Sringeri, 9 in Koppa, 8 in NR pura, 2 in Kadur Tarikere, 3 in Ajjapur and 5 in Kalasa taluk.
A total of 61.73 hectares of horticulture crops grown by 183 farmers in the district were damaged. In Chikmagalur taluk one farmer owns 0.59 hectare, 59 farmers in Kadur 25.60 hectare, 10 people in Koppa taluk 3 hectares, 25 people in Narapur own 4.40 hectare, 5 farmers in Sringeri own 1.20 hectare, 51 people in Tarikere own 16.34 hectare, 31 farmers in Ajjampara own 10.60 hectare of horticulture crop was damaged.
The seeds sown by 6600 farmers of the Agriculture Department in 5815 hectare area have been damaged due to lack of timely rains. 1351 hectares in Chikmagalur taluk, 1365 hectares in Kadur and 1470 hectares in Tarikere taluk have been damaged.
80.21 km of road belonging to the Public Works Department was damaged and 36.92 crores was incurred as the road was damaged. 53.20 km in Chikmagalur Taluk with a loss of about 11.90 crore, 9.55 crore loss was recorded for 1 km of road in Mudigere, 411 km for Koppa with loss of 5.27 crore, Sringeri a stretch of 10.70 km loss of 3.70 crore, Narasimharajapura 0.70 km road incurring loose of 6 crore, 10.50 km road in Kadur was damaged causing a loss of 50 lakhs. Meanwhile In the Zilla Panchayat Engineering Department, Chikmagalur Taluk, the following road lengths have been damaged: 10.15 km road in Koppa, incurring a loss of 2.21 crore rupees, 6.05 km road in Koppa, causing a loss of 1.25 crore rupees, 124.50 km road in Moodigere, resulting in a loss of 9.95 crore rupees, 5.10 km road in N.R. Pura, with a loss of 6.87 crore rupees, 46 km road in Shringeri, leading to a loss of 3.63 crore rupees.
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Include 60 per cent commission charge against K'taka govt in SIT probe: Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru, Apr 12 (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous BJP government drew a sharp response from saffron party leader Basavaraj Bommai, who on Saturday demanded that graft charges against the Congress-led government also be brought under the SIT’s purview.
He urged that the SIT should investigate the 60 per cent commission allegations levelled against the present dispensation over the past two years, citing accusations made by various contractor associations.
His remarks came a day after the cabinet announced the SIT probe based on the Justice Nagmohan Das Commission’s report.
The one-man inquiry commission, constituted under the retired High Court judge to investigate the charges of a ‘40 per cent commission’ in civil works carried out during the BJP's tenure in the state, had submitted a 20,000-page report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last month.
Asked about the state government's decision, Bommai told reporters here that a commission had already been formed to look into the "false propaganda" regarding the 40 per cent corruption allegations.
He demanded that the contents of that commission’s report be made public.
"Why is this government trying to cover things up? In the past two years, there have been allegations of 60 per cent corruption against this government. That should also be included in the SIT investigation," Bommai said.
The former Karnataka CM pointed out that public works, excise, and electrical contractors’ associations have openly alleged that 60 per cent corruption is prevalent in the current government.
He added that the probe must also include allegations from the BJP's time in office.
"Political opponents spread false allegations against us, but where is the evidence? Now, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are saying that people should file complaints with the Lokayukta if commissions are being demanded. Even during the BJP's tenure, we said the same—but no one came forward with complaints," he said.
Responding to allegations that payments for completed works are being withheld based on seniority, Bommai claimed that the government didn’t have the funds to pay for completed projects.
"That’s why, even though tenders have been awarded, contractors are hesitant to take up the work," he alleged.
Bommai further alleged that the Congress government and CM Siddaramaiah are indulging in "caste census politics".
"Even before conducting the survey, they should have officially declared it a caste census. Instead, they disguised it as a socio-economic survey and collected caste-related data," he claimed.
He added that while the chairman of the Backward Classes Commission submitted the report, neither the secretary nor other commission members signed it.
"Now, another chairman has submitted a whitewashed version of the report," he alleged.
"If this government truly cares about the backward classes, they should make the report public and reveal what plans they have for their welfare," he said.
Bommai also recalled that the government had said the cabinet would discuss the issue, but it has now been postponed to the next cabinet meeting.
"They’re forming yet another cabinet subcommittee to study it," he said.
"The Chief Minister is merely talking about how backward communities won't fill anyone’s stomach. For the last three to four years, he’s been playing politics with this issue. Siddaramaiah is not committed. Where there is no commitment, a committee is formed," Bommai alleged.
