No sign of Kodagu Reconstruction Authority

The promise of the State government to constitute Kodagu Reconstruction Authority for the rejuvenation of Kodagu district has not been fulfilled so far.

The flood victims alleged that the rehabilitation measures had been being delayed owing to various reasons.

The state government, which had promised of rehabilitation measures, is now dilly-dallying, they said.

The scheme meant to provide rent allowances to the flood victims has also not been implemented.

The flood victims, who could not get houses on rent, have been either living in their shattered houses or in the houses of their relatives.

Sources in the district administration said no order had been issued by the government towards providing rent allowance to houseless so far.

Special Additional Deputy Commissioner Jagadish said that during the initial stage, Rs 3,800 was provided to each houseless family.

“Now, the amount has been hiked to Rs 50,000 (one-time temporary compensation). The amount has been credited to the bank accounts of 350 victims. The government has released Rs 6.50 crore towards the same.”

During his visit to Madikeri on October 7, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had announced that Kodagu Reconstruction Authority will be constituted for rebuilding Kodagu.

The chief minister also said that the government would bear the expenses of the education of the flood victims’ children for one year.

The bank officers will be directed to provide education loans to students, pursuing higher education, without asking for collateral security, he had stated.

“But none of these promises have been fulfilled,” a villager and flood victim said.

BJP leader M B Devaiah said that so far, the chief minister had been pointing the finger at the Central government for failing to provide assistance to Kodagu.

“Now, the central government has agreed to release a grant of Rs 546 crore in the first phase, the state government should speed up relief works,” he added.

He, meanwhile, warned the government of staging protests with flood victims, if the houseless were not provided shelter at the earliest.

They have been waiting for the last four months for a roof over their heads. “The district administration and the district in-charge minister should respond to the woes of people.”