Farmers recompensed as per Centre’s guidelines: DC

The farmers who were affected by the flash floods and landslides in Kodagu have been compensated as per the guidelines of the central government, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy said.

She was replying to the posts on social media that had accused the district administration of practising discrimination while dispensing crop loss compensation.

Annies said that criticisms had come to her notice and she had decided to issue a clarification. “The Centre’s regulations had been followed in disbursing compensation amount to the farmers in distress,” she said.

A compensation of Rs 18,000 was given per hectare towards crop loss of coffee and spices. In case of loss of agricultural lands due to landslides, Rs 37,500 was given per hectare. Two hectares was considered for compensation in both the cases, which is the maximum limit fixed by the central government.

The loss was estimated by the officials of agriculture, horticulture and coffee board after a joint survey, she said.

Also, the quantity of crop loss, loss of lands and silt accumulation was certified by the officials. The list of farmers eligible for compensation was drawn on the basis of this certification and the compensation was disbursed accordingly.

The deputy commissioner repeated that no discrimination was followed between the marginal or large farmers during the dispensing of compensation.

Precautionary measures

The work on the construction of permanent protective wall had begun on Madikeri-Jodupala road. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken up the construction of a 300-metre long and 30-metre wide protective wall.

The deputy commissioner visited Second Monnangeri village in Galibeedu gram panchayat limits that was affected by the natural calamity on Thursday.

Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmipriya and officials from various departments had accompanied the Annies and visited the areas where the houses had been damaged.

The flood victims aired their grievances with the deputy commissioner on the occasion. Annies meanwhile directed the nodal officers to submit a report on victims who had been denied compensation.

‘Don’t heed rumours’

The deputy commissioner urged public to directly interact with the DC’s office for any clarifications.

“None should pay heed to the rumours. The list of beneficiaries who had received compensation has been uploaded on the district administration’s website in order to maintain transparency,” she said.