Deshpande to the rescue, asks officials to speed up relief work

Hubballi: Revenue Minister, R V Deshpande, who held a meeting  in Dharwad  to review the devastation caused by rain and flooding in seven districts of Belagavi division on Tuesday, instructed their deputy commissioners to act swiftly to provide relief to the affected people. 

The minister said he would hold a discussion with the finance department to simplify the procedure to provide relief to the victims of  the flooding and come out with a circular detailing the simplified mode of payment.

Directing the deputy commissioners to hold weekly meetings and video conferences with the taluk officials to keep track of the situation, he said they should also tour the districts to keep in touch with the ground realities and ensure immediate relief to those impacted by the heavy downpour.

"There is a possibility of floods, damage to life and property due to the heavy rain. Anticipating trouble, the team of officials should be alert and ready to provide immediate relief. The government will provide all support,"  he assured.

On  compensation for the families of those killed in the rain and floods, Mr Deshpande said although the rules provided for payment of Rs 4 lakhs, under the  amended rules another Rs 1 lakh would be provided from the Chief Minister's Calamity Relief Fund. 

The minister instructed the deputy commissioners to have a minimum fund of Rs 5 crore at hand for providing relief to victims of natural disasters and  not to allow any officer to go on leave until the situation returned to normal.

Those present at the meeting included Belagavi MP, Suresh Angadi, legislators of the seven districts including Ms  Laxmi Hebbalkar, deputy commissioners of Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Belagavi, Vijaypura, Bagal kot and Uttara Kannada districts and Zilla Panchayat presidents.