Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 23: "Due to the negligence of Centre and state governments, the Bhovi community in Battapadi, Uchila is losing its identity. The government has neither reserved funds under the NDRF scheme nor has it earmarked money from the local MLA fund for disaster management," said former union minister M Veerappa Moily.

Moily visited Battappadi sea erosion spot and obtained information from Ullal block Congress president Sadhashiv Ullal and MLA U T Khader.

Speaking to media persons after his visit, Moily said, "Constructing a permanent retaining wall against sea erosion is not a new thing. We have done this from the estuary to Ullal. But, this should be protected. Unfortunately, neither the state nor the union government is doing this. The union government should have conducted a technical survey. It has not been done so far. The government is not utilising the NDRF fund too. The government can utilise this fund. But, the government is not spending enough money from the NDRF. This cannot happen in loud speeches. This can be done only through involvement. To do this, the government should have concern for the people. If the government does not reserve funds for the MLAs, how can they save their constituency? We both will meet the chief minister and demand release of funds. Also, we will hold a meeting with a technical committee for a solution.”

MLA U T Khader, Ullal Block Congress president Sadashiva Ullal, Deepak Pilar, Suresh Bhatnagar, Vishal Koliya, Surekha Chandrahas, Raja Bandasale, Rohith Master, Dasanna Adka, Shalini Shetty, Dhanraj Gatti, Sundar Chembugudde, Ravi Gandhinagar, Raghav Uchill, Basher Kolamgere and others were present.

"As the compensation has not been given immediately, fishermen of Uchila are going away from their native. There are 20 families who are dependent on fishing in traditional boats. Now, they have been made to leave their natives. When they come forward to repair their house, notice is being served on them. No one will question the resort owners. People from the Bhovi community are fishermen. Though there is a law in favour of them, they should be protected, but they are being suppressed,” said Raghav Master informed Veerappa Moily.