Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, Aug 6: “Distribute relief to people who are affected by heavy rain without delay,” urged state home minister and Udupi district in-charge minister Basavaraj Bommai. He was speaking to deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha over video conference on Thursday about the destruction caused by the monsoon and the rising coronavirus infections in the district.
He directed the release of primary compensation to the houses which have been damaged in the rain and upload the details of destruction in Rajiv Gandhi housing corporation portal on the day of damages. “Form taluk wise teams of revenue, agriculture and PDO, conduct inspection, obtain reports, pay compensation and ensure that there is no scarcity of manure for cultivation. Distribute monthly ration to the people in advance,” he said.
“Two houses have been damaged completely and 116 houses are partially damaged in the rain. Funds are released to the respective tahsildars for distribution. 26 villages affected by rain have been also identified. All the officials are directed to remain in their offices. Necessary precautions are being taken,” said the DC.
“Over 95% of ration was distributed last month. 1,000-tonne manure that is required will be supplied by MCF tomorrow. 88% of the sowing is completed in the district. An inspection of floods in Maravanthe and Navunda is conducted,” added the DC.
“Bring to my notice if more funds are needed. A report of rain-related loss should be submitted to me on a daily basis. Immediate help should be extended to the victims of rain,” said minister Bommai.
The DC said that about 14 coronavirus cases have been reported in the district in the last week. “2,100 cases are active, 1,000 people are in hospital and COVID care centres and 1,100 people are in home quarantine. Meanwhile, 46 people have succumbed to the infection. The death rate has increased in the last 15 days,” he said.
“There is no scarcity of beds, ventilators and high flow oxygen beds. The numbers of deaths have increased as the people come to the hospital when they are in the critical stage of the pandemic. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct more surveys assigning more staff,” DC G Jagadeesha said.
Further, the minister called for making use of the Antigen kits only when necessary and to examine people with symptoms by RT-PCR only. He stated that he will speak to concerned officials over employing additional staff for survey work.
District panchayat CEO Preethi Gehlot, SP Vishnuvardhan, additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu, district surgeon Dr Madhusoodan Nayak and agriculture department joint director Kempe Gowda were present.