Cuddapah, Nellore Collectors shifted

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 18. In what is seen here as a swift `retribution' for its failure to tackle the flood situation, the Government has ordered the transfer of the District Collectors of Cuddapah and Nellore. Mr. Adhar Sinha, Collector of Cuddapah, is being replaced by Mr. K. Chandramouli, Director of AIDS project, and Mr. K. Praveen Kumar, Collector Nellore, by Mr. G. Anantha Ramu, Collector, Mahabubnagar.

The action was not surprising since the corridors of the CMO in the Secretariat were abuzz with the talk that quite a few heads would roll in the wake of the havoc wrought by sudden release of surplus waters from Somasila project in Nellore and Buggavanka in Cuddapah.

The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, dropped clear hints of tough action, particularly in respect of Cuddapah administration, at his press conference. Mr. Naidu, who toured the affected areas in the two districts on Wednesday, faced angry people who attributed their miseries to sudden lifting of crest gates of Buggavanka and also Somasila.

Meanwhile, a relief package was announced by the Chief Minister. Under this package, each affected family will get 20 kg of rice and five litres of kerosene - free of cost - whether the house is damaged or not. This relief will be given irrespective of the family's income.

In addition, all families living below the poverty line will get Rs. 1,000 each for fully damaged house and Rs. 500 each for partially damaged one. Rs. 500 each will be paid towards purchase of clothes and utensils to all the families whose houses are damaged. Those families whose houses are inundated will be given 20 kg of rice and Rs. 250 each for purchase of clothes and utensils irrespective of their incomes. In case of damage to shops, the Government will pay Rs. 1,000 each.

Mr. Naidu announced that 10 kg of rice will be given free of cost to weavers in case water had entered into their loom pits. Fishermen who have lost their craft will be paid Rs. 2,000 each and Rs. 1,000 each if the craft is damaged. All those whose nets were lost or damaged will get Rs. 500 each.

Meanwhile, the Government swung into restoration of communications, rail and road, electricity and water supply in the wake of the calamity that left 38 dead and 23 missing.

Giving the cyclone update at a media conference here, the Chief Minister said the Government would send a report to the Centre in 2 or 3 days when a more complete picture was expected to emerge. He had tried to talk to Mr. A. B. Vajpayee but was informed that the Prime Minister was away in Chennai.

Of the 38 dead, Cuddapah accounted for 16 and another 14 missing, followed by Kurnool (9 dead, 9 missing), Chittoor 5, Nellore 5 and Anantapur 3. Some 46,000 persons were sheltered in 103 relief camps in these districts, mostly in Nellore (68 camps).

MLA, official locked up

Our Cuddapah Staff Reporter writes: The Telugu Desam Party MLA of Cuddapah, Dr. S. A. Khaleel Basha, and the Joint Collector, Mr. G. Balaramaiah, were dragged by their collar and locked up in a house in the badly flood-ravaged Ravindranagar area in Cuddapah town by irate people for over an hour today in protest against the remarks made by the MLA.

Dr. Basha and Mr. Balaramaiah, who went round Ravindranagar area, were countered by angry mobs of people, flaying them for the Government's failure to extend any sort of help to them. They pulled up the MLA asking ``is that why we voted for you?'' The MLA retorted: ``Who asked for your votes.'' This made the people turn wild.

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Section  : Southern States
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