The Hindu : People should help take up relief work: Bangarappa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 21, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

People should help take up relief work: Bangarappa

By Our Special Correspondent

ANAVATTI (Shimoga dist.) APRIL 20. The former Chief Minister and Shimoga MP, S. Bangarappa, said here on Saturday that it was his urge to mitigate the sufferings of the people in drought-affected areas in his native taluk of Sorab that prompted him to take up free distribution of rice and paddy seeds.

Distributing rice and paddy seeds at an impressive function held on the sprawling grounds of a school here, he said: "I know my limitations in offering help to the people in drought-affected parts, and what I have taken up is only a token programme at my personal initiative.'' Describing the drought in Sorab taluk as unprecedented, he said it was not possible for the Government alone to tackle the situation. The Government's efforts should be supplemented by the voluntary efforts of the people, he added.

Mr. Bangarappa claimed he had no political considerations in taking up the programme. He said: "Once the elections are over, political considerations should not be continued. It is necessary for us to help those who are reeling under the acute drought conditions, the type of which I have not witnessed since I entered active politics in 1967.'' "I am well aware of the problems faced by the people in my taluk. How can I let down them when they have encouraged me to occupy important positions in politics, including that of Chief Minister? Come what may, I am always with them. I do my best to mitigate their sufferings, with or without the Government's support,'' he added.

Mr. Bangarappa said agricultural labourers, who used to migrate to the neighbouring Chikmagalur District in summer seeking work in coffee plantations, had not done so this year in view of the precarious market conditions faced by the coffee industry. "There is nothing for agricultural labourers in the taluk to fall back upon except drought relief measures,'' he said.

Emphasising the need for the Government to step up drought relief measures to provide work to the people in the affected areas, he said the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, faced limitations in the absence of financial assistance from the Centre.

Mr. Bangarappa said that when a delegation led by Mr. Krishna met the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to seek the Centre's help, only foodgrains for distribution under the Food for Work programme were offered. He urged the Centre to release at least Rs. 100 crores immediately.

Mr. Bangarappa thanked the donors in Shimoga and the neighbouring districts who offered rice and paddy seeds, and said the credit for taking up the programme should go to them as well as lorry owners and porters. "I didn't have any major role to play," he added.

Mr. Bangarappa said he was overwhelmed by the spontaneous response from the people. Although it was proposed to distribute 10,000 quintals of paddy seeds, the target had been exceeded by 1,000 quintals. It was proposed to distribute 3,000 quintals of rice to poor families in the drought- affected areas. The programme, which would be extended to Shiralkoppa in Shikaripur taluk, would be taken up at Shiralkoppa on April 28, he added.

Accompanied by his wife, Shakuntala, Mr. Bangarappa received a warm welcome from his supporters at the venue of the programme. He offered puja before distributing rice and paddy seeds. His eldest son and Minister of State for Water Resources, Kumar Bangarappa, his second son, Madhu Bangarappa, and other family members were present.

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