Nirmala Sitharaman visits flood-hit Kodagu, promises Army help
Kodagu (Karnataka), Aug 24 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the flood-hit Kodagu district and assured the people of Indian Army's help in rebuilding the devastated region's roads.
"I can assure you that the task force of the Indian Army's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will visit as consultants and advise the administration on how to build roads in hilly areas," Sitharaman told reporters in Madikeri, about 280km from the state capital Bengaluru.
Due to heavy rains and landslips, several of the district's arterial roads have been battered, disconnecting many villages and towns.
The Defence Minister visited Kushalnagar and Madapura in the district, which were severely affected by heavy rains and flash floods last week.
She also interacted with few flood-affected people sheltered at a relief camp at Madikeri in the district.
"I will meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who also takes care of national disaster relief funding, (Minister for Road Transport and Highways) Nitin Gadkari and also submit a report to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) on the district's situation," Sitharaman said.
The Minister, who is an MP from Karnataka, said the Centre's financial aid to the region in distress will be decided after an assessment of the loss.
According to preliminary estimates, the district has suffered losses worth Rs 1,140 crore to public and private property as a result of the rains, said Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P. Sreevidya.
"At least 34 village panchayats have been badly affected and the municipalities in Kushalnagar and Madapura suffered heavy losses as they are in the catchment area of Harangi river," she said.
The district administration is also working on providing temporary shelters to those affected by floods and residing in relief camps. "We have identified land and an additional deputy commissioner rank officer will oversee the rehabilitation," Sreevidya added.
About 75 Army engineering task force personnel will also be assisting the district officials in restoring the critical roads of the district, the state's Relief Commissioner Gangaram Baderiya said in a statement earlier.
About 5,000 people are currently sheltered in 51 relief camps across the district, with more than 1,100 houses have been destroyed in floods and landslips.
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Muniratna should be expelled from BJP: Dinesh Gundurao
Bengaluru: Karnataka's Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao has demanded the expulsion of BJP MLA Muniratna from the party, urging the BJP to demonstrate its commitment to justice and fairness to the people of Karnataka.
Taking to micro blogging platform, X on Tuesday, Gundurao remarked, “BJP MLA Muniratna’s casteist comments against the Vokkaliga community have been confirmed by the FSL report submitted to the SIT. He not only demeaned the Vokkaliga community but also made derogatory remarks about the women of the community.”
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He further alleged, “It has been established that Muniratna is not only a casteist but also a misogynist. Despite this, the BJP continues to support him, proving yet again its anti-women stance. The BJP’s backing of Muniratna exposes its hypocrisy in claiming ‘Hindus are one.’”
Gundurao also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan, "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao," calling it "ridiculous" in light of the BJP’s alleged support for individuals accused of mistreating women. He urged the BJP to take action and protect the dignity of women and vulnerable communities in the state.
ಒಕ್ಕಲಿಗ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಶಾಸಕ @MunirathnaMLA ಜಾತಿ ನಿಂದನೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದು ಈಗ ಎಸ್ ಐ ಟಿ ಗೆ ದೊರಕಿರುವ ಎಫ್ಎಸ್ಎಲ್ ವರದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಬೀತಾಗಿದೆ. ಮುನಿರತ್ನ ಒಕ್ಕಲಿಗ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಕುರಿತು ಕೀಳಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿರುವುದಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಆ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಕ್ಕಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆಯೂ ನಾಲಿಗೆ ಹರಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) November 26, 2024
ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಶಾಸಕ ಮುನಿರತ್ನ ಜಾತಿ… pic.twitter.com/th5gIEvFEn
