Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 14: MLC Ivan D'Souza, addressing a press meet here on Tuesday August 13, demanded for meeting promises made by chief minister (CM) B S Yediyurappa, relating to flood relief in Dakshina Kannada district. He asked the government to issue suitable directions to the officials in this regard.

"Yediyurappa has shown genuine concern towards the flood affected people. But the government officials have not been obeying the government's instructions," he complained. He pointed out that the CM has directed disbursement of compensation to people in relief centres at the rate of Rs 10,000 per person. He claimed that the officials, duly abiding by the National Disaster Relief Fund rules, have been issuing cheques amounting to Rs 3,800 each. This shows that the officials have been overlooking the directions of the CM, he stated.

Ivan referred to instruction issued by the CM to disburse compensation of five lac rupees for houses which have been completely destroyed. "However, MP Shobha Karandlaje, by speaking about releasing Rs 92,100 to the affected people in the first phase, has given rise to confusion. Congress party has already urged the CM to announce package on Kodagu model for the suffering people. The chief minister has spoken about announcing a new package that is applicable for the entire state," he mentioned.

Ivan referred to the rule which says that to be eligible for compensation for cattle which were washed away in floods, the veterinarians have to perform postmortem and issue report. This has given rise to confusion as the farmers cannot retrieve the animals which were washed away, he mentioned. He asked the chief minister to be practical in issuing instructions and make sure that the orders issued by him can be implemented.