‘Rs 10L compensation for families of missing fishermen’

District In-charge Minister Jayamala said the state government would release a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of seven fishermen who were on board the ill-fated Suvarna Thribhuja boat, whose wreckage was found under sea recently.

Jayamala told mediapersons here, on Friday, that the state government would offer Rs six lakh from Fishermen Distress Relief Fund and another four lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

“The families of missing fishermen will have to execute an indemnity bond, giving an undertaking that the compensation amount will be returned to the government if the missing fishermen returned home alive,” she added.

The state government has already paid Rs 1 lakh each to all the seven families in January this year. “Rs 10 lakh will be an additional compensation,” the minister said.

Jayamala said a meeting was held in order to ensure the release of compensation from the Fishermen Distress Relief Fund. Fisheries department secretary has directed deputy directors of fisheries department in Uttar Kannada and Udupi districts to initiate measures in this regard.

The officers will be collecting necessary documents from the families of the fishermen, so that the compensation amount could be released without further delay. The state government will also submit a proposal seeking compensation from central government, she added.

Elaborating on the measures taken to overcome water crisis, Jayamala said Rs 39 crore was available to tackle the crisis.

“There is no dearth of funds for supplying drinking water in the district.”

She said Rs 3 crore each will be spent on supplying water through tankers and to desilt the river.
Remaining funds will be utilised to desilt 400 lakes and other water bodies in the district.

Replying to a query, Jayamala said the former chief minister Yeddyurappa was dreaming of securing the support of 20 MLAs from Congress in order to form the government.