From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 25: Taking time off after the series of virtual as well as video-conferencing meetings in the wake of the Corona pandemic, especially after his recovery upon being tested COVID positive, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa flew off to the flood-hit districts of Northern Karnataka by helicopter and conducted an aerial survey of the ravages and promised to take up the issue of obtaining more Central grants for taking up relief and rehabilitation works during his next week’s visit to Delhi.
Yediyurappa flew off from the HAL Airport in the city on Tuesday to the Sambra airport in Belagavi for his tour of the five districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Gadag and held separate meetings with the district ministers, MPs and legislators as well as officials on the situation.
The Chief Minister promised to convene a meeting of all legislators of the affected districts shortly for obtaining their views on the extent of the damages and losses. "We will collect all data and compile a detailed report for submission to the Centre and seek additional Central grants for taking up relief and rehabilitation works,’’ he said and promised to follow up the issue during his visit to Delhi next week.
He asked the legislators to work in close coordination with the officials in their respective constituencies for the redressal of the problems of the people.
Funds available under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) must be used for taking up urgent relief and rehabilitation works in view of the prevailing COVID pandemic situation, he said.
The Chief Minister said Belagavi district administration has Rs 412 crore under its disposal for taking up urgent relief works and promised that the State Government will sanction more money if necessary.
Belagavi district is having Rs 174 crore for construction of houses. The district administration must utilize the money available to it for taking up road repair and other urgent works, he said asking the officials to send detailed reports to the State Government forthwith.
The Chief Minister said Rs 488 crore has been sanctioned to Belagavi for providing compensation to the 44,156 beneficiaries and those who lost their houses.
All other districts have sufficient funds released by the State Government and said the State Government would sanction more funds as and when necessary, he said.
Government Chief Whip in the State Legislative Council Mahantesh Kavatagimath wanted the Chief Minister to direct the officials to include 9,000 houses of families who had lost their houses and also release funds for reconstruction.
Deputy Speaker in the State Legislative Assembly Anand Mamani pointed out that there were disparities in the assessment and release of crop insurance money and demanded that the anomaly must be rectified.
Mahadevappa Yadavada, MLA, mentioned that the compensation to the people who lost their houses in last year’s floods were yet to be paid and wanted urgent steps to release the money.
Abhay Patil, MLA, demanded that the State Government should release Rs 320 crore towards laying and repairs of roads in Belagavi district and wanted the funds under Nagarothana scheme must he released immediately.
Mahesh Kumatalli pointed out that people who lost their houses in Athani constituency were yet to receive the promised compensation and also demanded urgent release of Rs 50 to 60 crore towards repairs of damaged roads.
Laxmi Hebbalkar, MLA, wanted the State Government to ensure that the tanks and bunds that breached during the floods must be repaired and sought release of more funds for repairs of roads and bridges.
Aravind Bellad, MLA, suggested that the State Government must adopt modern technology to assess damages to crops and other assets. He also demanded that a special package for the development of Hubballi-Dharwad road must be sanctioned.
Shankara Patil Munenakoppa, Amrut Desai, Mahantesh Koujalgi, Mantesh Doddagouda, P Rajiv, Dhuryodhana Aiholem Umesh Katti, Anil Benake, MLAs, raised issues concerning their assembly constituencies. Anna Saheb Jolle and Eeranna Kadadi, MPs, also spoke about the flood havoc and need for relief and rehablitaiton.
Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Revenue Minister R Ashok, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Belagavi district in-charge minister and Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarakiholi and Dharwad district in charge minister as well as Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, Handloom and Textiles Minister Shrimant Patil spoke on the plight of the people and the measures taken by the government.
The Chief Minister later presented four Nasal Canula Oxygen equipment to the Ballari Medical Hospital for use of COVID patients instead of the ventilators. The CM also offered bagina to Almaty dam.