Minister Vijayshankar takes officials to task

Speaking at the divisional-level progress review meeting at CDS Community Hall in Kollegal on Wednesday, he said the officials should submit a report on rain damage within a week.

He stressed to distribute compensation to the farmers who have lost their crops immediately.  He directed the officials concerned to submit a detailed report on the damage due to loss of crops, roads, school buildings, anganwadi buildings, houses, bridges, bus stands and public property to the Deputy Commissioner immediately. If the compensation takes months to distribute, it stands no meaning, he opined.

MLA R Narendra said more than 350 hectare horticultural crops were destroyed and the officials are depriving the farmers of their benefits by delaying the compensation.

Assistant Horticultural Director Dr Nanjaiah said turmeric crops have been destroyed and will submit a report immediately.

Deputy Commissioner K Amaranarayan said a total loss of Rs 34 crore has been recorded in the district.

The minister also discussed to solve the drinking water woes in the district. ZP AEE Raju disclosed that all the water samples in the district has been subjected for laboratory testing and there was no flouride content.

While AEE M Devaraju said more than 68 villages have drinking water problems, BEO Mallikarjun said there is lack of space to begin school in the town. The minister assured to allot space for the schools.

Dr B R Ambedkar Development Board president A R Krishnamurthy said a special package has been planned for the SC and tribals which would be implemented soon along with other facilities like borewells, dairy farming.

MLC Prof K R Mallikarjunappa, ZP CEO Sundar Naik, CHUDA president Sundar, CMC president Mangalagowri, vice president Harsha and others were present.