REVIEW: District-in-charge secretary S. Siddaiah holding a review meeting in Shimoga on Monday.

SHIMOGA: A re-survey should be conducted to assess the damage caused to standing crops in the district in the wake of the farmers' complaint that what was being offered as compensation is inadequate, District in-charge Secretary S. Siddhaiah has said.

He was reviewing the progress of flood relief measures here on Monday.

Compensation should be given to those in rain and flood-affected areas within a stipulated time-frame. He suggested that construction of public buildings in the affected areas should be taken up on a priority basis.

Mr. Siddhaiah said that the request made by the district administration for the release of Rs. 39 crore to meet the losses caused by floods would be considered after he completed a study of the situation within two days.

Funds would be released after he would wind up tour of the district. The Government had released Rs. 2 crore to take up urgent relief measures.

Mr. Siddhaiah warned that he would not compromise on quality with regard to development works. The Horticulture Department official sought release of funds for being paid as package to areca growers who suffered heavily on account of the "Kole Roga" afflicting the standing areca trees in the taluks of Tirthahalli, Hosnagar and Sagar. He said that the loss on account of the Kole Roga could be minimized next year if the affected plants were treated with pesticides. Of the total area of 52,000 acres under horticultural crops, arecanut occupied nearly 29000 acres. The Malnad taluks of Tirthahalli, Hosnagar and Sagar had suffered the brunt of the floods and rains as areca trees suffered the highest loss in the district.

Mr. Siddhaiah promised to look into the plea for release of funds for supply of pest control packages to areca growers.

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