Pics: Spoorthi Ullal 

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK) 

Mangaluru Aug 23: Newly inducted minister, Kota Srinivas Poojary, promised to provide special package for the 27 families at Mandara Bail here who were the victims of garbage landslide, and urged the government to provide alternative houses for them. 

He was speaking at a review meeting chaired by him jointly with district deputy commissioner, Sasikanth Senthil, which was held at DC office on Thursday August 22, with regard to the flood damage in the district. 

He also said," We will look to provide a permanent solution for the waste disposal issue at Pachanadi." 

Giving details about Pachanadi havoc, the deputy commissioner said,"Due to garbage landslide, six acres of agricultural land has been damaged. As of now, arrangement has been made for accommodating 27 families at Karnataka Housing Board. As a result of this incident, drinking water has been contaminated in the region. Officials from pollution control board, NITK, Indian science organization etc have conducted study on the impact of this catastrophe." 

'Health officials have taken measures to control spread of infectious diseases due to the garbage effluents," said district health officer, Dr Ramakrishna Rao. 

In response, the minister said, "This matter will be discussed with the chief minister, B S Yediyurappa, and I will urge him to provide special package of five lac rupees to those who have been affected by this incident. I assure you that I will undertake measures for proper waste disposal at Pachanadi,” 

Kota Srinivas Poojary said that the chief minister, B S Yediyurappa, has directed the ministers to address problems associated with floods. "The government has already announced its decision with regard to providing compensation for the damages due to floods, the government may consider providing monthly rental of up to Rs 5,000 and compensation of five lac rupees in respect of completely damaged houses,” 

The deputy commissioner said, "Compared to last year, we have received less rainfall, but the damage inflicted by rains is more this year. A total of 1415 km of roads and bridges worth Rs 672 crore have been damaged, 424 government buildings valued at Rs 55 crore have been damaged, MESCOM had to face a loss of Rs 11 crore which is almost restored, 944 houses were damaged to the extent of Rs 11 crore. In agricultural sector, 357 hectares of agricultural crop has been damaged while 691 hectares of standing crops were damaged," he explained. 

Two deaths reported at Kadaba Puttur for which compensation of Rs 5 lac has been disbursed to the families of the deceased, the deputy commissioner stated. 

Bantwal MLA, Rajesh Naik, said," Bantwal was severely affected by the flood, houses and commercial shops were damaged. Already Rs 10,000 has been given to the 507 families in Bantwal which was affected by the floods." He urged for disbursal of compensation even in respect of commercial shops which suffered damages. 

In response, the deputy commissioner said, "There is no such provision, but we can propose to provide compensation for commercial shops which were affected, to the government."