The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Rehabilitation for 30 flood-affected villages

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Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Rehabilitation for 30 flood-affected villages

Special Correspondent

Work initially to be taken up on pilot basis

Rehabilitation will start in three villages of Bagalkot district from January 31
22 villages to be totally rehabilitated, eight villages to be partially relocated

BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to rehabilitate people in 30 flood-affected villages in Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag districts.

Speaking to presspersons after a meeting of the Executive Committee here on Friday, Governor Rameshwar Thakur said rehabilitation will start in three villages of Bagalkot district from January 31. Initially, the work would be taken up on a pilot basis. The rehabilitation is based on a report submitted by a high-power committee headed by P.P. Prabhu, adviser to the Governor.

Visit by committee

The committee visited the flood-affected villages in the three districts last month. The villages located alongside the rivers Krishna, Malaprabha and Ghataprabha had been experiencing floods every year. Many houses and standing crops were damaged in these 30 villages in the recent floods.

BPL families

The Governor said 22 villages would be totally rehabilitated, while people in eight villages would be partially relocated to nearby villages in the three districts. Families below poverty line would be allotted free sites measuring 30 x 40 sq. ft. and for those above the poverty line, sites would be given at a concession. The Government would sanction a small amount for construction. A large number of families belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reside in these villages, the Governor said.

Land identification

The deputy commissioners of all three districts have been instructed to identify land to rehabilitate villagers. The Government would develop roads, provide water supply and electricity services in the new residential colonies, Mr. Prabhu said.

The Government has sought funds from the Centre to execute the package. The total cost of rehabilitation would be Rs. 5 crore. The land acquisition cost for rehabilitation would be Rs. 46 lakh. The Governor said there would be no eviction of the villagers.

An official team deputed by the Union Government also visited Bagalkot, Gadag and Dharwad districts last month to assess the damage caused to crops on account of heavy rains and floods.

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