SAUNDATTI (BELGAUM DISTRICT): Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy has announced a compensation of Rs. 15 lakhs under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to those who lost their crops and huts in a fire at Haralkatti village in the Khagdal Gram Panchayat limits, 22 km from here.

A fire that broke out on Friday destroyed several huts and a large quantity of foodgrains at the village. Six animals were also charred to death.

Mr. Kumarswamy, who arrived here on Monday from Bijapur, called on the victims and listened to their grievances.

Compensation

Speaking to presspersons, he claimed that never in the past has any government announced so much of compensation for crop loss owing to fire, and it is his Government which took the decision considering the plight of the victims.

There is no provision under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to provide crop compensation, he said.

He directed the district authorities to ensure immediate disbursement of the compensation amount to the victims at their doorsteps.

Revenue Minister Jagdish Shettar, Social Welfare Minister Balachandra L. Jarkiholi, Agriculture Marketing Minister Bandeppa Kashempur, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Govind M. Karjol, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachidanand Khot, Belgaum Zilla Panchayat President Fakeerappa D. Gorbal, MP Suresh C. Angadi and MLA Vishwanath Mamne accompanied the Chief Minister. Deputy Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh and other officials were present with the Chief Minister.

Difference

Initially, the officials had said that over 100 huts and a huge quantity of crops were destroyed in the fire, putting the total losses at Rs. 2 crores. In the report presented to the Chief Minister on Monday, the officials said only 42 houses, including 30 kachcha houses, five pucca houses and a government school building, were destroyed in the fire.

Foodgrains

The loss of foodgrains, mainly 5,886 quintals of maize grown on 340 acres of land belonging to 105 farmers, was put at Rs. 31.78 lakhs, considering the minimum support price of Rs. 540 for a quintal of maize.

Fodder

Fodder weighing 1,500 tonnes and worth Rs. 5.85 lakhs was destroyed in the fire, the report said.

The total loss, including the death of four head of cattle, a calf and a goat in the fire, was estimated at Rs. 54.71 lakhs.

Report

The report said that so far, the Government has disbursed Rs. 2.3 lakhs as compensation to those whose houses were destroyed in the fire, Rs. 42,000 as interim relief for the 42 affected families and Rs. 43,000 to those who lost their animals in the fire.

Houses

Mr. Kumarswamy, who handed over cheques for the compensation amount, announced that 42 houses will be constructed under the Indira Awas Yojana at a cost of Rs. 25,000 each.

The work will begin soon, he added.

The Chief Minister, who addressed the affected families and farmers, assured them of extending the last date for repayment of farm loan by two or three months.

This, Mr. Kumaraswamy noted, will provide relief to the affected farmers and help them to cope with the crisis.

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