In the review meeting held at Deputy Commissioner's office here on Sunday, he said that officials at district and taluk levels had to ensure that the pro-people programmes implemented by the government reached the beneficiaries directly, without interference of middle-men. Both district and taluk level officials should try to resolve the problems faced by people with seriousness. When officials and elected representatives work in favour of the people, there will be a considerable reduction in corruption, he said.
“Our government will take stern action in case if any official or elected representative is found to be corrupt. Such officials will be taken to task without any leniency,” he warned.
Additional compensation for affected areca-nut growers
Speaking on the problems faced by people due to heavy rainfall this year, Siddaramaiah said that the highest damage had been sustained by horticulture crop growers in Karnataka, particularly arecanut crop. Arecanut growers in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Kodagu, Uttar Kannada and Udupi had incurred highest losses due to heavy rains and fruit-rot disease, estimated at Rs 232 crore. The central government has released Rs 30 crore in this regard, and will soon release an additional Rs 40 crore as compensation, he said, adding that affected growers would be compensated upto Rs 12,000 per acre.
Meeting to be held to discuss Yettinahole project
The issue of diversion of Nethravati waters from Sakleshpur was broached at the review meeting, with local MLAs J R Lobo and Moideen Bava requesting the chief minister to reconsider implementing the damaging Yettinahole project.
Raising the subject, Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo informed the CM that the district would face acute water shortage during the summer season if work on the Thumbay vented dam was not completed within the specified time.
“Moreover, the implementation of Yettinahole project will gravely affect the Nethravathi river, which is the lifeline of the district. It is extremely necessary that a comprehensive re-assessment of the project should be made before taking a decision to implement it. Apart from affecting the water flow of the river, it will have a huge impact on the environment and ecology of Western Ghats. Hence, a study on the environmental impact of the project is a must,” he told Siddaramaiah.
Along with affecting the drinking water supply in DK, agriculture will also be affected deeply by Yettinahole project, said Moideen Bava.
Siddaramaiah said, “To dispel all doubts and apprehension about Yettinahole project, a meeting of experts, engineers, environmentalists and concerned elected representatives will be held in the city in the coming days.”
“No developmental works in Belthangady taluk”
Belthangady MLA K Vasanth Bangera alleged that no development works had been undertaken in naxal-affected areas in Belthangady taluk, as claimed by officials. Contrary to this, funds are being wasted for development of areas not affected by Naxalites, he said.
Siddaramaiah directed that the district-in-charge secretary would henceforth lead the developmental programmes in naxal-affected areas.
Plea for grants for developmental works
Among several demands, Deputy Commissioner N Prakash requested for grants from the state government for rehabilitation of victims affected by Endosulfan, fruit rot disease compensation programme, expansion of Mangalore Airport runway, development of Thumbay vented dam, repair of Bangalore-Mangalore national highway and rehabilitation of families in Kudremukh National Park.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel requested for funds from the state government for the construction of railway under-bridge and over-bridge at Padil.
DK district-in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, health minister U T Khader, urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, fisheries minister Abhayachandra Jain and MLAs Shakunthala Shetty and S Angara were present.
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