Contribute towards flood relief fund, people told

Commodities must reach the affected areas by October 7

Addressing a discussion with various organisations on Monday District-in-Charge Secretary Vidyashankar said that general public, organisations and corporate companies of DK district must contribute in cash and kind for the cause of the victims.
He said that the cash must reach the affected areas by October 15 while the commodities must reach by October 7. Assuring that the funds donated by people will not be misused, he said that people willing to send help in the form of cash may send in their cheques or DDs in the name of CM’s Relief Fund.

Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj said that donation centre has been opened at MG Road to collect fund and commodities to be sent to the affected areas while three more will start functioning at Mangalore City Corporation, Red Cross Centre and Taluk office from Tuesday onwards. One such centres will be opened in all taluk offices.
DC said that on his interaction with the DCs and CEOs of the affected areas, he was informed that there is no dearth of funds or food stuff.
 The immediate requirement of the victims are clothes and utensils, which needs to be sent in large quantity.

The aid will be sent to Bagalkote, Raichur and Bellary on priority basis.
During the discussion, Red Cross Official M G Mohan said that they have had some bitter experiences in the past when commodities collected here did not reach the victims but were either dumped or misused. Endorsing his views Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahithya Parishat President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that since misappropriations had taken place in the past, attention must be paid towards maintaining the accountability.

Vidyashankar said that this time the possibility of misappropriation is bleak as the entire activity will take place under the supervision of the DCs and SPs of districts concerned. The consignments will leave from DK district and on being delivered to the said destination the district administration there will give a letter of confirmation. Further, volunteers will be sent along with each consignment of commodities to ensure that the commodities reach the victims without fail.

Padayathra

It was resolved to organise a padayathra in the district to raise funds, commodities and to create awareness among the people about the situation prevailing in the affected areas.

It was said that NCC, NSS, Rotary, Lions and various other voluntary organisations can be called in to participate in the Padayatra.
Superintendent of Police Dr Subramanyeshwar Rao, Additional Deputy Commissioner Prabhakar Sharma, Corporate heads and officials of various departments were present.