Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jul 7: “Rain has been lashing seven districts in the state. The deputy commissioners (DCs) in those districts have been directed to pay immediately a compensation of Rs five lac for the houses which are completely damaged,” said Karnataka minister of revenue, R Ashok.
He was speaking after inspecting in the company of district in-charge minister Sunil Kumar and minister of ports and fisheries Angara, the areas affected by sea erosion including Uchila, Battappady, Sea ground and Mogaveerapatna in Ullal taluk.
He said, “The sea erosion at Uchila Battappady has been severe and there is demand from locals for break wall here. I will bring the matter to the notice of the chief minister and state vice president of disaster management authority. The erosion will continue if not prevented. I will try to get it stopped by the inspection of experts.
“There has been heavy rain in seven districts in the state. The seven deputy commissioners have been directed to take action and pay immediately Rs five lac compensation to the people who have lost their houses in the rain. I will sign the order soon after reaching Bengaluru tomorrow. There was provision to pay only Rs 95,000 under the previous NDRF Act. The amount is raised to Rs five lac after holding discussions with the chief minister. Rs 3,500 paid earlier when rain water enters houses is increased to Rs 10,000. The state government has directed deputy commissioners to pay immediate compensation for death of cattle, crop loss. People should avoid anxiety and believe that the government is with them.
“There has been Congress governments since the last 60 years. BJP has been ruling since the last ten years only. Sea erosion was there earlier also. It is not right for those to comment who could not set it right for so many years.
“The state government and party MLAs are visiting places not under their jurisdiction and helping people. The state government is always ahead in providing assistance under NDRF funds,” he said.
District in charge minister Sunil Kumar said that they are planning for break fencing like in Maravanthe. “We will arrive at a decision only after holding discussions with experts. The government does not give priority to resorts. The district administration has been directed to provide assistance to people in dwelling houses. A meeting will be held with the district administration in the leadership of the revenue minister over emergency compensation and permanent compensation. The details of the discussions will be submitted to the chief minister by the ministers of two districts on July 10 for a decision of permanent compensation,” he said.
Deputy comm K V Rajendra, MLC Pratapsimha Nayak, police commissioner N Shashi Kumar, the Mysore Electrical Corporation president Santhosh Rai Boliar and others were present.
Villager Sukesh Uchil urged the minister to protect the 600-year-old hometown of fishermen.
Answering a query by the reporters that the district in charge minister was missing for the last one week despite heavy rain, Sunil Kumar said that he was always present.