Rs 5 cr for flood relief works

District administration had submitted the proposal to government in August

The district administration had submitted a proposal seeking funds in August as monsoon failed in the district. Responding to the proposal, the government has released the funds.  Out of the Rs 5 crore released to the district, each taluk will get a sum of Rs one crore to take up drought relief works.

The government has instructed to utilise the funds tot ake up drinking water supply projects,  fodder supply and setting up goshalas.  “There is no fodder shortage as it has been raining of late. Hence more funds would be available to take up drinking water supply projects,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, S N Gangadharaiah told reporters here on Tuesday.

Not impossible

The responsibility of ensuring drinking water supply rests with Gram Panchayat secretary, Taluk Panchayat executive officer and the executive engineer. Spending Rs one crore for the task is not an impossible task if all the three work in unison, he opined.

However, the Town Municipalities have not utilised Rs 1.91 crore released in March this year, for drinking water projects. The district in-charge secretary, in a review meeting held recently, had taken the officers to task for non-utilisation of grants.

Out of Rs 40 lakh released to Malur Town Municipal Council only a sum of Rs 15 lakh has been spent while Srinivaspur Town Municipal Council has spent 10 lakh out of sanctioned sum of Rs 13 lakh. A sum of Rs 17.75 lakh has been spent by Mulbagal local body as against the grant of Rs 29 lakh and Rs 12.37 lakh as opposed to sanctioned amount of Rs 24 lakh to Bangarpet Town Municipal Council.

Thus, out of the total sum of Rs 1.91 crore released, only Rs 98 lakh has been spent. The district in-charge secretary had instructed the deputy commissioner to withdraw the unspent grants.

Rain-related damages

Gangadharaiah disclosed that Rs 2.32 lakh has been disbursed as compensation to people whose houses sustained damages in the recent rain havoc. The quantum of compensation varies from Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000 considering whether the damaged house is “kachcha” or “pucca” one. 

A sum of Rs 15,500 is released to Kolar taluk, Rs 1,12,300 to Mulbagal taluk, Rs 58,000 to Bangarpet taluk and Rs 47,000 to Srinivaspur taluk, in this behalf. The government will pay a compensation of Rs one lakh to people who have lost their shelters completely. It has also been decided to pay Rs one lakh compensation from National Calamity Relief Fund as well.

 Three persons have lost their houses in the district and the administration has been requested to furnish the details of bank account  of the victims. The compensation money will directed be credited to their bank accounts, the Additioal DC revealed.