Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre.
Credit: DH File Photo
Belur, Hassan: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre assured of holding a discussion with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, to increase the compensation amount to victims of wild jumbo attacks.
Khandre held a meeting with Forest department officials, elected representatives, coffee growers and public at RV Kalyana Mantap, in Belur, on Monday night.
The Minister assured to bring in a system, to provide compensation to those injured in wild elephant attacks and permanently disabled.
"I have directed to provide necessary equipment to the Elephant Task Force personnel. Vacant posts in the Forest Department will be filled on contract basis. The CESC authorities will be directed to provide uninterrupted power supply to regions where there is jumbo menace", he said.
MLA H K Suresh pointed out the delay in providing compensation for crop loss. He urged for 100 per cent financial assistance for solar fencing and Rs 500 crore earmarked in the budget for an elephant sanctuary.
Sakleshpur MLA Cement Manju stressed on erecting railway barricades to prevent man-animal conflict. Instead of installing solar fences around the agricultural fields, it should be fixed around the forest, he suggested.
Sringeri MLA T D Rajegowda, MP Shreyas Patel and members of coffee growers' association, Principal and Chief Conservator of Forest Meenakshi Negi, CCF Yedukondalu, Deputy Commissioner C Sathyabhama, and Tahsildar M Mamatha were also present in the meeting.