<p>Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade launched a programme to assist flood victims through Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) in Madikeri on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He handed over cheques to those affected by the recent floods and natural calamities to assist the flood victims in rebuilding their lives.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Heggade urged the government to construct houses for the needy and to rebuild the infrastructure in Madikeri which was destroyed by flash floods and landslides.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Loans up to Rs 450 crore have been released to Kodagu through IDBI bank. Monthly interest on the loans during the months when flood victims were rendered homeless and jobless was paid by the SKDRDP. There is a need to waive the interest during this period and bank officials should think and act in this regard,” stressed Heggade.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said SKDRDP will encourage flood-affected women to become self-employed by providing training in the making of handicraft items and processed food among other measures.</p>.<p class="bodytext">SKDRDP executive director L H Manjunath said that every homeless and landless family will receive financial assistance of a maximum of Rs 65,000. The amount will be transferred to the bank accounts of 2,106 families within a week. A total amount of Rs 8 crore had been set aside. An amount of Rs 2 crore was also contributed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Veerendra Heggade visited the six flood-affected villages and listened to the woes of residents.</p>
<p>Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade launched a programme to assist flood victims through Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) in Madikeri on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He handed over cheques to those affected by the recent floods and natural calamities to assist the flood victims in rebuilding their lives.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Heggade urged the government to construct houses for the needy and to rebuild the infrastructure in Madikeri which was destroyed by flash floods and landslides.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Loans up to Rs 450 crore have been released to Kodagu through IDBI bank. Monthly interest on the loans during the months when flood victims were rendered homeless and jobless was paid by the SKDRDP. There is a need to waive the interest during this period and bank officials should think and act in this regard,” stressed Heggade.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said SKDRDP will encourage flood-affected women to become self-employed by providing training in the making of handicraft items and processed food among other measures.</p>.<p class="bodytext">SKDRDP executive director L H Manjunath said that every homeless and landless family will receive financial assistance of a maximum of Rs 65,000. The amount will be transferred to the bank accounts of 2,106 families within a week. A total amount of Rs 8 crore had been set aside. An amount of Rs 2 crore was also contributed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Veerendra Heggade visited the six flood-affected villages and listened to the woes of residents.</p>