With several complaints by farmers that banks are adjusting flood relief against loans they have availed, the State government has decided to issue notices to such banks, said Revenue Minister R. Ashok.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, the Minister said, “I have instructed district officials to serve notices to such banks. Flood relief cannot be impounded by banks for loans that farmers have failed to repay.” Pointing out that damage caused due to the second round of floods in several parts of the State was being assessed, the Minister said, “As there was floods for the second time in the State, officials are assessing the fresh damages. We will send a report on this to the Centre soon.” The same kind of relief provided to those hit by August floods, will be provided to those suffering under the present floods.
Claiming that flood water has receded in the rain-hit regions since Sunday, the Minister said, “According to reports, there is forecast of more rains for a day or so in parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Ballari, and Koppal in north Karnataka. In coastal and Malnad region too there are no heavy rains and the cyclone in the Arabian Sea has also moved towards Oman.”
NDRF and SDRF teams stationed in affected regions will continue to stay put for a few more days. Officials have been asked to work towards relief and rehabilitation of those affected, without taking holidays, he said.
While the Centre had recently released ₹1,200 crore as interim relief to the State, the State government has released ₹6,449.93 crore from its exchequer so far for flood relief. “The remaining amount from the Centre will also come, after finalising it as per rules. Let there be no doubt about it, it will come,” he said replying to queries.
