Bhatkal: Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Disaster Management In-Charge for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Kodagu districts, U.T. Khader, on Saturday reviewed monsoon preparedness and disaster management measures during his visit to Uttara Kannada district. He directed the district administration to ensure prompt relief to people affected by heavy rains and other natural calamities and to respond to their grievances with empathy and efficiency.
Chairing a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Karwar, Khader instructed officials to provide immediate interim relief of Rs 5,000 to families affected by rain-related incidents. He warned that disciplinary action would be initiated against Village Accountants and Panchayat Development Officers found delaying the disbursement of relief assistance.
Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya informed the meeting that Rs 61 crore was available in the district administration's PD account, out of which Rs 30 lakh had already been released to each taluk to meet emergency requirements arising from natural disasters.
Khader said the state government had no authority to amend compensation norms prescribed under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). He said families whose houses are completely destroyed are eligible for compensation of about Rs 5 lakh, with Rs 1.20 lakh released immediately as initial assistance and the remaining amount disbursed in phases based on the progress of house reconstruction.
Officials from various departments briefed the minister on preparedness relating to roads, power supply, drinking water, healthcare services, relief shelters and other disaster management measures. Khader directed all departments to work in close coordination throughout the monsoon season, remain on round-the-clock alert and ensure there was no delay in providing essential services and relief.
Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya said the district was recording a 37 per cent rainfall deficit during the current southwest monsoon season despite receiving good pre-monsoon showers. Rainfall has been particularly low in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats, while coastal areas have witnessed widespread rain over the past four days.
Earlier in the day, Khader arrived in Bhatkal via Mangaluru and Udupi, where he was accorded a warm reception by a delegation of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem at the Bhatkal toll gate. The delegation felicitated him on his appointment as the minister in charge of the coastal districts.
Khader, in turn, felicitated Tanzeem president Inayatullah Shabandari on his re-election and assured the organisation that he would visit Bhatkal again soon before proceeding to Karwar for the review meeting. Congress workers also welcomed the minister on the Uttara Kannada district border.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khader dismissed speculation over the delay in the expansion of the Karnataka cabinet, saying the decision rests with the Chief Minister and the party high command. He said there was no dissatisfaction among MLAs and that ministerial appointments would be made keeping regional and social representation in mind. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, he said the exercise was being conducted independently by the Election Commission and should not be politicised, adding that any objections should be taken up with the poll panel rather than the state government.