'Members of rain relief committees should work in tandem during emergencies' - B N Krishnaiah

Committees of officials formed at village and taluk levels in Uttara Kannada to control damages caused by heavy rain and floods should work in tandem in the event of an emergency, B.N. Krishnaiah, Deputy Commissioner, has said.

He was addressing a meeting of officials at Gerusoppa on Wednesday. He directed the officials to respond to the problems faced by the people owing to rain.

Stating that the Meteorological Department had forecast heavy rain in coastal areas of the State this time, Mr. Krishnaiah told the officials to form awareness committees in rural and urban areas of the district and submit a report. Till June 8, the district received 3458 mm of rain compared to 1545 mm recorded last year during the period. Referring to the death of a farmer at Padushirali in Bhatkal on Tuesday when forest encroachment was being cleared, he said senior forest officials were yet to visit the village. He asked the forest officials to act responsibly. The officials, who were overenthusiastic to implement law, should face the consequences during the adverse situation, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the officials to identify quacks in the district and take action against them.

He said action would be taken against the officials for the delay in completion of the bridge work at Yelvadikavuru in Bhatkal taluk. Issues such as rejuvenation of lakes and Suvarna Bhumi scheme were discussed. Vijay Mohanaraj, Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, K.H. Narasimhamurthy Additional Deputy Commissioner, assistant commissioners and tahsildars were present.