Will wipe tears of flood victims: CM

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has promised to wipe the tears of the flood victims in the district.

He was speaking at an interaction with flood victims in the town on Wednesday.

“I have not come to Kodagu to indulge in politics. I have come to wipe the tears and respond to the woes of the flood victims,” he explained.

“Power is not permanent for me. I am also not sure if the Centre will release grants. However, the state government, the officials and the MLAs are working for the welfare of the people. The government has already released Rs 122 crore to Kodagu. All the funds that were received under the CM’s relief fund will be utilised for the development of the district,” he said.

The chief minister said that 800 families who have lost their houses will be paid rent up to Rs 10,000 for temporary accommodation. Construction of houses for the victims is on progress. Officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments from other districts will be deployed in Kodagu.

Kumaraswamy also announced that all the damaged schools and colleges will be rebuilt. “I will visit the district again and review the works,” he assured.

“It is not possible to rebuild a district by sitting in Vidhana Soudha. Hence, I have come to interact with the victims and other citizens. The government wants to rebuild the district. The interaction is aimed at instilling confidence among the victims,” he explained.

District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh, Minor Irrigation Minister Puttaraju, MLA K G Bopaiah, MLCs Veena Achaiah, Sunil Subramani and S L Bhoje Gowda and others were present.

The chief minister also visited the model house constructed for victims near the RTO office on the outskirts of Madikeri town.