Dakshina Kannada District-in-Charge Secretary Bharathlal Meena has directed the officials to compensate the victims of natural disasters within 24 hours of the mishap without waiting for the permission of the higher officials.
“If you cross the line to help a needy person in time, nobody is going to hang you,” he said.
Meena was chairing a review meeting on draught, drinking water, fodder, electricity and other problems of the district at Netravati Hall of the Zilla Panchayat in Mangalore, on Wednesday.
As per the information provided by the district administration, the district has received 111.2 mm of rain in May 6, 2014 (it was 98.3 mm in in 2013).
Heavy rains coupled with strong winds and lightning has caused seven deaths in the district and many have been seriously injured.
More than five cattle have been killed due to lightning and around 79 houses are damaged.
In addition, crops worth crores have been damaged due to rains. Meena directed the officials to pay full amount of compensation using State Disaster Management Fund (SDMF) for the damaged houses and not just for repair.
Similarly, for arecanut and coconut trees, the horticulture department should pay the worth of the tree, he said.
Meanwhile, the Horticulture department officials informed that out of the Rs 30 crore released as compensation for fruit rot disease, Rs 26 crore has been distributed.
No draught in district
DK has not been affected by draught according to the district administration report.
The district has received average rainfall of 111. 02 till May 6 (last year it was 98.3 mm).
Speaking on drinking water supply, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that an alternative water supply system through a vented dam worth Rs 150 crore has been developed for Ullal, Deralakatte, Konaje and nearby areas.
The proposal is with Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), he said. In parts of Bantwal, drinking water supply has been affected due to power cut.
Meena directed the Mescom officials to minimise the power cut to help drinking water supply.
He also wanted the MCC Commissioner to open a toll-free line for public to communicate with the corporation about their drinking water problems.
‘Control water theft’
During a discussion on proposed water supply project from Tumbe dam to Mulki, Meena directed the engineers to find new ways to share water. Technical solutions should be found to control the leakage and should act tough against unauthorised connections.
Treated water should only be used for drinking and not for agriculture purpose.
“You should find the technical solutions and we will manage the political pressure,” he added.
However, the DC said that even 2MGD and 18MGD pipelines are also being misused.
On Tumbe vented dam
On asked about the present stage of the Tumbe vented dam construction which is pending from past eight years, KUWSDB Executive Engineer L N Anand said that the dam will be completed by next year, using a fund of Rs 75 crore (for dam portion).
“The payment has not been done for the company since last February, so the work has been stopped since last four-five days. Though the gate is ready, we can’t purchase it, as we don’t have money to pay. Out of Rs 40 crores, only Rs 28 crore has been released,” he said.
The District-in-Charge Secretary ordered to continue the work as he would talk to the MD of the company. About survey of the submerging area, Anand said that the survey has been completed and stone markers have been put.
Only the revenue survey is pending and it will commence after the election process, he added.
About Mangalore Mini Vidhana Soudha, the DC said that the government had released Rs 5 crores for the purpose, but work can’t be progressed without annual payment.
A letter has been written to the government in this regard.
He also said that for the Endosulfan victims, the govt had released Rs 1.9 crore, but now only Rs 19 lakh is pending.
Meena directed the officials to submit a proposal on extending Mangalore International Airport runway from 8,500 feet to 15,000 feet using around Rs 1,500 crores.
He also suggested constructing a bypass from Surathkal to Thokkottu or B C Road to reduce the traffic conjunction within the city.
Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni and others were present.
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