Daijiworld Media Network – Kaup
Kaup, Aug 7: Health and family welfare minister and Udupi district in-charge minister U T Khader Fareed directed officials to respond promptly to hardships faced by people due to natural calamities and heavy rainfall and ensure that relief compensation is disbursed without delay.
Chairing a review meeting on natural disaster management at the Kaup taluk office on Friday, August 7, the minister said officials at the grassroots level must immediately visit affected areas in the event of loss of life, damage to houses, or other losses caused by heavy rains and provide the necessary assistance.
U T Khader said families whose household articles, bedding, and food stocks are damaged due to flooding should be provided an immediate relief of Rs 5,500. Officials should act with compassion and sensitivity while extending assistance so that affected families can continue their lives with dignity, he added.
U T Khader said paddy cultivation remains the major agricultural activity in Kaup taluk and transplantation has been completed in around 2,020 hectares. However, crop damage has been reported due to erratic weather conditions, and re-sowing in affected fields will continue until August 20. He instructed officials to conduct an accurate survey of crop losses and submit the findings to the government at the earliest.
The minister also expressed concern over the possibility of diseases affecting areca nut and other horticultural crops due to continuous rains. He directed the horticulture department to assist farmers by ensuring the availability of required pesticides. Noting that 19,236 farmers in the district have insured their horticultural crops this year, an increase of 7,690 over last year, he called for greater awareness to encourage more farmers to avail crop insurance.
Reviewing the condition of schools, U T Khader said that 91 of the 660 classrooms in 200 schools across Kaup taluk require repairs. He instructed officials to complete the repair works at the earliest and ensure that unsafe classrooms are not used for teaching. Students should also be prevented from entering dilapidated buildings or compound walls located near schools to avoid accidents.
The minister reviewed the distribution of textbooks and uniforms and said only quality-checked shoes and socks should be distributed to students. Any substandard supplies should be rejected. He also directed district food safety authorities to inspect the quality of food, eggs, and milk supplied to Anganwadi children on a regular basis.
Pointing out that heavy rains have damaged several roads in the district, U T Khader instructed officials of the panchayat engineering department, public works department, and National Highways Authority of India to undertake repair works on priority and restore smooth traffic movement.
The minister said heavy rain and strong winds had damaged 163 electricity poles, causing losses estimated at Rs 31.71 lac. He directed Mescom officials to restore disrupted power supply without delay, engage contract linemen wherever staff shortages exist, and ensure that 24x7 helplines remain functional to receive public complaints and coordinate restoration works.
U T Khader also stressed the need to remove dangerous trees on priority to prevent accidents. He instructed officials of the forest department, gram panchayats, and urban local bodies to coordinate and complete the work without delay.
Describing government officials as the "face of the government," he urged them to discharge their responsibilities efficiently at the grassroots level and ensure people-friendly governance. He also directed that funds available in the Kaup tahsildar's PD account be utilised effectively.
Speaking at the meeting, Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty highlighted the shortage of staff in Mescom, stating that power outages during the monsoon often continue until the following afternoon, causing hardship to the public. He also said several roads in the taluk have been badly damaged, disrupting school bus services and affecting students' attendance, and urged immediate repair works.
Coastal Development Board chairman M A Gafur, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Prateek Bayal, superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, State KPCC Campaign Committee president Vinay Kumar Sorake, and district and taluk-level officials were present.
Minister U T Khader visited the coastal erosion-hit area near the Kaup lighthouse and inspected the situation. He was accompanied by M A Gafur, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Swaroopa T K, Hariram Shankar, Vinay Kumar Sorake, and other officials.