Ex-minister finds fault with drought relief

Former minister and Congress district unit president Shivaramu alleged that the money released by the government for drought relief is not being used judiciously. The authorities concerned are misguiding farmers who enquire about drought relief works.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, he said Rs 432.95 lakh has been sanctioned to take up drought relief works in the district. “Deputy commissioner K P Mohan Raj stated that out of Rs 303.07 lakh released only Rs 18.23 lakh has been utilised. Development works have come to a standstill. Elected representatives are turning a blind eye towards the issue,” he said.

“No review has been done on the ongoing works since the past three years. The recent meetings are in view of the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Commenting on some leaders, he said they have not visited any drought-hit area and are giving excuses of visiting later. He flayed the elected representatives for not touring the district. “They could have sanctioned funds to help the drought affected farmers. But, they have done nothing in this regard.”

The farmers have paid a crop insurance premium of Rs 3.79 lakh from 2008 to 2011. But the compensation awarded so far is only Rs 20.16 lakh to 5,896 farmers, he added.

Some discrepancies in the crop insurance programme have resulted in the farmers not getting compensation. Shivaramu urged the public representatives to take steps to rectify the defects.

He flayed the authorities concerned for setting up Goshalas at places where there is no sufficient water and other facilities. The district administration has spent Rs 38 lakh to set up goshalas in Arsikere taluk. But there is no enough fodder or water for the livestock.

Ex-minister D Mallesh, vice-president Narayana Gowda, Muniswamy, Zulfikar Ali were present at the press meet.