The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : State enhances flood compensation

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Monday, Jun 25, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

State enhances flood compensation

Special Correspondent

Rs. 4,000 for fully damaged house and Rs. 3,000 for partial one

Officials told not to apply for leave in the flood-hit districts
Chief Minister tours affected areas in Kurnool and Nandyal

I’m with you: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy addressing flood victims in Kurnool on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: After returning from the flood-ravaged Kurnool-Nandyal areas, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday announced doubling of compensation payable to the flood-affected families for damaged houses.

A fully damaged house will now get Rs 4,000 (Rs 2,000 so far), a partially damaged one Rs 3,000 (Rs 1,200) and a submerged house without damage Rs 2,000 (Rs 750).

The Chief Minister who reviewed the situation along with Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao and Chief Secretary J. Harinarayan, said weavers would now get Rs 2,000 (Rs 1,000) for damaged loom or for submergence of the loom-pit. For the first time, a compensation of Rs 2000 would be paid even in case of a damaged petty shop/bunk.

Speaking to reporters, he said orders had been issued to ensure supply of 20 kg rice and five litres of kerosene to all affected families. Officials had been asked to complete enumeration of the loss of properties by Tuesday so that immediate disbursement of compensation could be ensured.

The Chief Minister said there was let-up in the rain on Sunday and the worst-affected Kurnool and Nandyal areas were returning to normalcy.

He said a 15-day deadline had been fixed for officials to prepare plans to repair and desilt the streams, rivulets and drainage canals in and around Kurnool and Nandyal. He had fixed a deadline for restoration of breached tanks and roads by Tuesday. A note circulated by disaster management commissioner Preeti Sudan says 12,241 houses have been damaged in Kurnool, Prakasam, Mahabugnagar and Guntur districts, 5,525 of them fully.

Dr. Reddy said 284 irrigation tanks had breached. Normalcy was restored at almost all the places with the resumption of train/bus services.

Directive to officials

The Chief Minister directed irrigation and panchayat raj officials to prepare a blueprint of the areas likely to be affected by flash floods in each district.

The blueprint should contain details of rivers, rivulets, streams and other important water bodies, besides indicating the extent of likely inundation.

Dr. Reddy, who reviewed the flood situation in 10 districts before leaving for a visit of the affected areas, pointed out that the elderly people in Kurnool district had said that they had never witnessed such severe floods in River Kundu.

The proposed blueprints should not be based on past experiences but provide a plan to tackle future situations.

He wanted the officials not to apply for leave in the flood-hit districts till the situation returned to normal and work with a spirit of sacrifice. Declaring that there was no dearth of funds for relief measures, he asked them not to give room for any complaint. He warned that severe action would be taken in case of tardy relief measures or corruption. Those who work with dedication would be encouraged with awards and rewards.

Dr. Reddy said that permanent measures needed to be taken to prevent flooding of low-lying areas in each region and wanted officials to send proposals in this regard. Besides, cyclone shelters and communication network must be strengthened.

The Chief Minister was moved by a news report which described how a mother saved her two children by tying her saree to a tree and kept awake the whole night after they were caught unawares by swirling waters of River Kundu.

Kurnool Special Correspondent writes: The Chief Minister ordered the district administration to clear the riverbeds in Kurnool and Nandyal of encroachments and silt in order to find a lasting solution to the recurring floods.

Dr. Reddy toured the flood-hit areas of the two towns on Sunday and discussed the relief measures as well as permanent steps with elected representatives and officials.

The supporters of the Left parties staged a protest seeking comprehensive package for the victims. Undeterred by the protests, Dr. Reddy toured the residential areas in both towns and addressed the victims. He announced enhancement of financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 for partially damaged house and Rs. 4,000 for fully damaged one. The water-logged houses would get Rs 2,000.

Protests staged

The police caned the demonstrators at Nandyal at four places when they stopped the convoy by squatting on the road. According to Chief Minister, each affected family would be given 20 kg rice and five litre kerosene. Those who lost livestock would get 50 per cent of the cost for purchasing new animals.

Dr. Reddy did not buy the idea to go for construction of flood banks saying the river course should be cleared of all bottle-necks and silt first. He called for investigation by a private consultancy on flood banks.

He said those displaced by the river restoration project be given houses under the government schemes.

He said repairs would be carried out to colleges, schools, temples and mosques at the cost of government. Also, the CM promised elevated bridges and storm water drains in both towns across the rivers. He announced help to farmers and weavers as per the government norms.

MP Kotla Jayasuryaprakasa Reddy, Mayor S. Raghurami Reddy, Ministers -- M. Mareppa, K. Ramakrishna, Raghuveera Reddy, MLAs M.A. Gafoor, K. Ramabhupal Reddy, E. Pratap Reddy, K. Sujathamma, Gouru Charita, Collector M. Dana Kishore, Special Officer Satish Chandra and others were present.

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