Siddaramaiah, former Chief Minister, on Friday visited flood-affected villages in Hunsur taluk in Mysuru district and spoke to flood victims. Accompanied by Congress leaders, he visited Hanagodu, Konenahalli and Bilenahosahalli. He also inspected the bridge that was washed away when Lakshman Theetha was in spate. He collected details from officials on the loss caused by the rain and steps taken for rehabilitation so far.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the government should increase the amount fixed for the construction of houses from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. Also, the ₹10,000 as immediate relief to each flood victim has not reached all the affected. “I have written to the Chief Minister on this issue. If relief is given as per the NDRF norms, it won’t be enough considering the loss. The compensation package should be given a relook since the rain and floods have caused extensive damage to properties and crops,” he said.
Demanding that the floods in the State be declared a national calamity, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited the State and the Centre was yet to announce the relief package. He hit out at the BJP MPs for not bringing pressure on the Centre over the issue of relief to the State.
On the byelection to Hunsur Assembly constituency which has become vacant following the disqualification of A.H. Vishwanath, he said the committee had been constituted to be headed by former Minister H.C. Mahadevappa on the choice the party candidate. “The issue of making alliance for the bypolls is left to the party high command,” he said.
Mr Siddaamaiah later visited Thora village, which witnessed one of the worst landslips in Kodagu recently. The former CM trekked some distance after travelling in a jeep to reach the place where the landslip had occurred. Several people had died in the tragedy. Many houses were destroyed when the hillock slid after heavy rain lashed the village. He met the families of the deceased and consoled them.
