Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 15: Newly-appointed revenue minister R V Deshpande on Thursday June 14 visited rain-affected areas in Udyavar and distributed compensation to families that suffered losses. The rain which hit the district on May 29 had created havoc in Udyavar panchayat area. Many houses were damaged due to uprooting of trees.
"This time all the districts have received very good rainfall. Nearly 85 houses were partially damaged in Udyavar area. Compensation was allotted to people for damage due to rain in Dakshina Kannada too. I know that this compensation is not enough to make up for the losses suffered by the victims. We have given the compensation according to the norms under the Central Calamity Relief Fund. The deputy commissioner has Rs 5 crore in reserve as calamity relief fund. We have released Rs 5 crore for Udupi district. If case death is reported due to rain havoc, Rs 4 lac under national disaster relief fund, and Rs 1 lac from chief minister's relief fund will be given," he said.
Answering a question from reporters about the meeting of disgruntled leaders under the leadership of MLA M B Patil, Deshpande said, "M B Patil is our senior leader. We have seen such of dissatisfaction in last five decades. Every time the cabinet is reshuffled, some or the other MLA will be dissatisfied for not getting portfolio."
Minister U T Khader also accompanied Deshpande. To a question about Tanveer Sait's comment that Khader and Zameer Ahmed were 'not qualified' to represent the Muslim community, Khader said, "I am hearing about this comment now only. I have served 6.5 crore people as an MLA and minister. I have performed my duties very well in the last government without a single complaint. The community is not in anyone’s pocket. People of the community know who is qualified to represent them. The party high command also knows this and has selected me for ministership. Tanveer Sait has much affection for me. We are good friends."
Cheques were distributed to 17 families whose houses were damaged completely. R V Deshpande and U T Khader visited a house that was damaged by the uprooting of a big tree.
Priyanka Mary Francis, Udupi deputy commissioner, Shivananda Kapshi, Udupi zilla panchayat CEO, and Sugandhi Shekar, Udyavar gram panchayat president were present during the occasion.