Karnataka - Gulbarga

All those who suffered losses yet to get compensation

GULBARGA: Even after over a month since the floods ravaged Gulbarga district, the authorities are yet to provide compensation to all those who suffered losses.

According to a note circulated in a press conference addressed by Deputy Commissioner R. Vishal after holding a review meeting with officials of all the lead departments, compensation to the tune of Rs. 15.88 crore has been given so far to 43,360 families whose houses were damaged in the floods. A total of 48,753 houses were damaged in the district. A sum of Rs. 18.1 lakh has been given as compensation for the death of 965 livestock. The total of number of death of livestock in the district has been put at 1,235.

Assessment of crop loss is yet to be completed in the district. Mr. Vishal said that the assessment was in the final stages of completion. Compensation amounting to Rs. 1.99 crore has been given to farmers who lost crops on 8,562 hectares of land. Standing crops on 90,436 hectares were damaged in the district.

Mr. Vishal said that during the review meeting, he had pulled up officials for the delay in disbursing compensation.

To a question, Mr. Vishal said that the State Government had so far released Rs. 52.49 crore for taking up relief and rehabilitation measures and for paying compensation. The district administration had so far released Rs. 50.28 crore for all the lead departments for taking up the works. Gulbarga district appears to be lagging behind other flood-ravaged districts in acquiring land for relocating the affected villages.

The note said that 12 villages in the district had to be relocated fully, and 157 acres of land was required for the purpose. The 50 acres of land available with the Government would be sufficient for relocating two villages and the district administration had acquired land for relocating another village, it said.

Ninety-eight acres of land is required for relocating the remaining nine villages. A sum of Rs 2.79 crore was required for the purpose, the note said.

Thirty-seven villages have to be partially relocated in the district and 191 acres of land was required for the purpose. Fifty-one acres of land available with the Government will be utilised for partially relocating 13 of the 37 villages.

Land acquisition is in the final stages for relocating 19 villages, and 39 acres of land has to be acquired for partially relocating the remaining villages.

Mr. Vishal said that the district administration had sanctioned 1,119 works at a cost of Rs. 76.97 crore. As many as 126 works had been completed and 996 of them were in different stages of completion, he said.

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