Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jan 13: The new vented dam at Thumbe which is meant to meet drinking water requirement of Mangaluru city, currently holds six metres of water. A survey has now begun into the impact of increasing the water level to maximum, which is seven metres.
It is said that compensation has not been so far disbursed to all the farmers whose lands were submerged when the water level was increased to six metres. The officials say that they will disburse compensation in full to all those who have completed paperwork by the end of this month.
Thumbe vented dam (file photo)
Out of Rs 17.5 crore set aside for the purpose, officials claim that ten crore rupees has been disbursed so far. During this month, 20 more farmers may get the compensation due to them. As the compensation can be disbursed only after completing sale process, there is bound to delay when sketches of land are improper, and there are changes in names and minor rights are involved. Thumbe Dam Affected Farmers Action Committee has urged the district in-charge minster to make sure that compensation is disbursed to eligible farmers at the earliest.
Due to the increase in the water level at the said dam to six metres, 65.68 acres of land spread over Sajipamunnur, Panemangaore, B Moda and Kallige villages have gone under water. As of now, about 30 applications for compensaiton are pending, and there are cases of filing two claims on behalf of thie same family. In case of a few claims, there are disputes. Subject to provision of proper documents, the city corporation is preparing to disburse compensation to about 20 farmers. Officials claim that in respect of 12 farmers, they have not received any application for compensation.
Special land acquisition officer of Mangaluru city corporation Gayatri Nayak, said that compensation cannot be disbursed if there is any discrepancy in the documents. She said that compensation is planned to be disbursed to 20 more farmers after completing documentation aspect by the end of this month.