Date:29/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/29/stories/2005102922600300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Relief not being disbursed properly, say corporators

Staff Reporter

`Instead of the promised Rs. 5,000 officials are giving cheques of Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 1,500'

BANGALORE: Members from all parties in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Council on Friday complained that the rain-affected people were not getting the promised compensation from the BMP.

Raising the issue at the council meeting, Koramangala corporator B. Mohan alleged that though the BMP had promised Rs. 5,000 compensation to those whose houses had collapsed during the rain, the officials were giving cheques of Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 1,500.

While Sagayapuram corporator Marimuttu said she had asked the residents of her ward to return the money, Syed Jaleel representing Sri Krishnarajendra Market said the officials were demanding identity proof and property documents even during such times of crisis.

Mayor R. Narayanaswamy assured the members that he would direct the officials to disburse the compensation properly. "Though we had promised Rs. 5,000, we are now giving Rs. 6,000 to those who have lost their houses. All officials have been asked to disburse the amount to the identified victims without any queries. If such problems repeat, you can bring it to my notice," he said.

Earlier, members pointed out that the condition of all roads in the city had deteriorated following the rain. The council approved resolutions pertaining to remodelling of the Vrishabhavathi and Hebbal valleys. Two packages of the Vrishabhavathi valley remodelling were approved some months ago and work has been awarded to NPCC.

On Friday, following directions from Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh the remaining packages were also approved. Work on these packages (no. 1, 2 and 5) would be awarded to East Coast Constructions and Industries Ltd. and EPI Constructions, the Mayor said.

This apart, the council also approved remodelling of the Hebbal valley at a cost of Rs. 80 crores. "With this, the remodelling of all the four valleys at a total cost of Rs. 660 crores has been approved," the Mayor added.