Natural disaster: Discrimination in compensation for damaged houses

Rs 10 lakh for Kodagu; Only Rs 95,000 in DK!

Sullia: Many have lost their homes to the natural disaster here, yet the state government is showing outright discrimination in giving compensation to the victims.

The proof for this discrimination is the difference in amount given as compensation to Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Kodagu which varies by Rs 8-9 lakh. With the present amount of compensation given, it is impossible for DK victims to build a house.

Extreme natural disaster

A natural disaster took place in DK and Kodagu districts in August. Thousands of families in Kodagu lost houses, farms and properties. Sullia taluk which lies along Kodagu border also suffered heavy losses at various locations. Hundreds of families sought shelter at the relief centers in Kallugundi, Arantodu and Sampaje. Even now, some families are living there.

No compensation for the district!

The state government identified the Kodagu incident as a major disaster and decided to identify land build houses for the victims. Currently the identified land is being leveled and the construction of the model houses is in progress. Together with DK district, 134 houses have been completely destroyed states a report by the district administration. However, the government has not come forward to provide an alternative permanent residence for these families. Worse still, even the district’s representatives of the people and the administration are neglecting this.

Rs 95,000!

The government is spending Rs 8-10 lakh to build houses for the victims in Kodagu who have lost their houses to the natural disaster. But, the natural disaster that took place in DK district has been considered a normal one and therefore only the every year natural disaster compensation money has been provided. Even though the entire house has been destroyed, only Rs 95,000 has been provided as compensation. Though there has been severe damage incurred in Aranthodu, Kalmakau areas, the government has failed to take it seriously.

Maximum limit

“Under the natural disaster cause, there was opportunity to give a maximum compensation of Rs 95,000. Accordingly, the compensation has been provided. The natural disaster that took place in DK and Kodagu are of different levels. In the natural disaster in Kodagu, since the land, house and everything was lost, the compensation was provided in the form of a special package,” said Kungnamma, Sullia Tahsildar.

Damages is the same for all

“The government has provided legally correct compensation in Kodagu. The same package must be provided to people in DK district who have also lost their houses. If a house is completely damaged due t natural disaster, it has to be reconstructed. There, without discriminating based on major and minor disaster, equal compensation should be provided,” said Krishnappa, Sullia.

Article by Kiran Prasad Kundadka translated into English by Aaron Dmello