Khader orders swift relief for rain-hit families

Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader on Wednesday directed officials to expedite compensation for victims of landslides, house collapses and other rain-related disasters, warning that any delay in extending relief to affected families would not be tolerated.

Reviewing the monsoon situation after inspecting several rain-hit villages in Belthangady taluk, Khader said compensation for deaths, damaged houses and flooded homes should be released immediately in accordance with government norms.

The minister also instructed officials to repair schools and anganwadi centres damaged by heavy rain using available funds so that educational activities are not disrupted. Stressing the need for inter-departmental coordination, he asked the Forest Department, MESCOM and local bodies to work together to minimise risks posed by falling trees, damaged power lines and other monsoon-related hazards.

Calling for heightened preparedness, Khader said officials should remain available round the clock during the monsoon and ensure that control rooms remain fully operational to respond to emergencies without delay.

The minister also took note of complaints from residents regarding waterlogging along the under-construction national highway stretch between Punjalkatte and Charmadi. He directed officials to identify all vulnerable locations and address the drainage issues in a phased manner.

Khader further instructed the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments to speed up the settlement of crop insurance claims for farmers who have suffered losses due to incessant rain.

Officials of the Public Works Department informed the meeting that work on the Rs 12-crore Guruvayanakere-Uppinangady road project would begin shortly.

The minister said the proposal to establish a Town Planning Authority for Belthangady would be examined and urged gram panchayats to prioritise public grievances and essential services.

During the visit, Khader handed over a sanction order for Rs 15 lakh compensation to the family of a person who was killed in a wild elephant attack at Nelyadi.

Earlier, he toured rain-affected areas, including Guringana, Putrabailu and Laila, to assess the damage and interact with residents affected by the recent spell of heavy rain.