Flood victims, planters seek suitable compensation

Planters, under the aegis of Kodagu Prakruthika Vikopa Mattu Nere Santhrasthara Samiti, Karnataka Belegarara Okkoota, Karnataka Growers’ Federation and Kodagu Planters’ Association, took out a rally in the city on Friday urging government to provide suitable compensation to growers who had incurred huge loss due to floods and landslides in the district.

The rally, which received a good response, passed through Gandhi Maidan and General Thimmaiah Circle and ended at DC’s office. Samiti President Manu Medappa urged the Centre and the state government to announce a special package to flood-ravaged areas in Kodagu.

As many as 38 villages in Makkanduru, Garvale, Madapura, Galibeedu, Shantalli, Sampaje and K Nidugane Gram Panchayats have been ravaged by flash floods and landslides. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry should specially consider the interest of growers in these villages, he urged.

Those who have lost houses should be compensated with lands and houses. Loan availed of by growers in all the 38 flood-affected villages should be waived. Also, interest-free loans should be provided to growers to rebuild their plantation and fields, for the next five years, he demanded.

Karnataka Growers’ Association Organiser Nanda Belyappa urged the government to conduct a detailed survey on the loss of plantations. Desilting should be done in the backwaters of Hattihole, Makkanduru, Madapura, Tantipala and Harangi as the slush is obstructing the flow of water. Immediate steps should be taken to clear the silt accumulated in Harangi reservoir, he
said.

Kodagu Planters’ Association leader K K Vishwanath demanded government job to one member from the flood affected family. The real assessment of the agricultural loss cannot be done by the aerial survey. A topographical survey should be conducted in this regard, he said and added that expenses incurred in providing children from the flood-affected families should be borne by the government.

The flood victims submitted a memorandum to the DC, ADC and MLC Veena Acchaiah.

Receiving the memorandum, the MLC said she will discuss the matter with the government.

Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa, Ratana Thammaiah, B N Ramesh, S K Acchaiah and M C Cariappa of Kodagu Planters Association took part in the rally.