Newly sworn-in ministers tour flood-hit districts in Karnataka

MYSURU: A day after they were tasked by chief minister B S Yediyurappa to tour flood-affected areas, newly appointed ministers C T Ravi and J C Madhuswamy visited several flood and landslide-hit areas of Chikkamagaluru district. Their colleagues R Ashoka and V Somanna will visit the districts assigned to them on Thursday.
Madhuswamy and Ravi visited the flood and landslide-hit areas of Malnad district on Wednesday.At one point, while hearing the problems of the affected families who are displaced, Ravi got emotional. They assured them that maximum relief will be provided to them and reconstruction work will be completed in a time-bound manner. MLA MP Kumaraswamy accompanied them.
They visited Mallemane, Banakal, Alekhan Horatti, Durgadahalli and surrounding villages of Mudigere. At Mallemane, villagers told Ravi that they left their homes with a single pair of clothes and remained like that for weeks. Hearing their problems, Ravi became emotional. He said he could feel their pain. The ministers had lunch with flood-affected families in Mudigere.
Ravi took a dig at Congress and JD(S) leaders over their statement against the state government on managing the flood situation. “Let us not politicise the issue. We are ready to take the suggestions of the JD(S) and Congress leaders on the relief work,” Ravi said. They will visit Hassan district on Thursday.
Meanwhile, minister Suresh Kumar, who is assigned Kodagu district, visited several rain-affected areas in Kodagu district where people are living in fear owing to rain and landslides. He visited the flood and landslide-affected places in Kushalnagar, Siddapur, Nellihudikeri, Karadigod and Tora, where five persons have been washed away and three others are missing. The victims and the affected family members explained the difficulties they are facing to the minister at the relief centers.
When asked about the delay in the construction and distribution of houses for last year’s flood-hit, the minister said he will hold a meeting and discuss with the officials. He said affected families have been given Rs 10,000 each which has cost Rs 45 lakh to the government. As a temporary relief, the victims will get Rs 5,000 per month towards rent for dwelling in rented houses for 11 months.
When asked about the delay in the announcement of relief amount from the centre, he said Union ministers Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman have visited some affected areas in the state and are aware of the grievances of the people. Five other states are also severely affected in the rain. After estimation, the Centre will announce the relief package, he stated.