Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sep 8: “District administration should encourage farmers to include crops and fishermen their fishing boats under the insurance schemes. This will reduce the individual losses,” said Ashish Kumar, chief central rain damage review team and joint secretary of the home ministry.
He was speaking at a review meeting chaired to review the rain damage caused in Udupi district. “The government is paying 98 percent of the premium money for crop insurance, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, and if the remaining amount of 2% is paid by the farmers they can get their crop loss compensation. Awareness should be created among farmers in this regard and include their crops under the insurance schemes. All the fishing boats should have insurance compulsorily. This will help them at times of emergencies and losses caused to fishing boats. Involvement of local people during the flood relief measures will reduce the disasters. District administration should also be prepared for critical times rescue operations,” he said.
Manoj Rajan, State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner appreciated the district administration for setting up a district disaster management plan for quick action during crisis.
Kurma Rao M, district administrator shared the details of loss caused by rains. He said “2 persons have died due to rains from March in the district. 65 houses are damaged, 424 houses have partially damaged. 1239.73 hectares of crop loss has been reported. 41.8 km of national highway, 56.98 km of district road and 194 km of city roads, 1379.95 km of rural roads have been damaged due to the downpour. 120 bridges, 1699 electric poles, 335 transformers are damaged. 235 school buildings are also damaged. Rs 263.91 crore of loss is estimated in the district” he said.
Hakay Akshay Machindra, Superintendent of Police, Mahesh Kumar, assistant director, central finance department Bhayva Pande, Assistant Director of Central Energy Department Veena B N, ADC and others were present in the meeting.
The team also visited Maravanthe and other places that were hit due to rain.