Waive all borrowed loans, flood victims tell CM

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy received a flood of grievances and demands during an interaction with flood victims in Madikeri on Wednesday.

The farmers from the district urged the state government to waive off all kinds of loans borrowed by them and also appealed the government to construct houses for the victims at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.

The loans borrowed by the farmers should be converted to long term loans, they requested.

The victims also urged the chief minister to provide government employment to atleast one member of each flood victim’s family. Alternative land should be handed over to those who have lost their land, they appealed.

Prabhakar Bhat of Arekallu village said, “The government should direct experts to conduct a study in Monnangeri, Jodupala, Thalathamane and verify whether the houses in these areas are conducive for living. If the houses are not conducive for living, then the government should construct houses for the victims in the area. We can survive only if the government waives off the loans borrowed from nationalised banks, private banks and private money lenders.”

Joseph of second Monnangeri demanded the state government to provide government employment to atleast one educated member of an affected family.

“The loans borrowed from cooperative banks have been waived off. The vehicle loan should also be waived off. A few houses in landslide affected areas have developed cracks and are not conducive for living. The government should build houses for such victims,” he said.

A T Madappa of Kalooru village said, “Mounds of soil have covered houses and coffee estates. The hillocks have developed cracks. We fear further landslides. Construct houses in the safer areas at Kalooru. The experts suggestions should be sought on cultivating crops after clearing the mounds of soil from farmland.”

Kallappa of Makkandooru said, “The residents of Makkandooru, Hemmathalu, and Mukkodlu have been suffering for the last two months. We have received compensation of Rs 3,800 only. Our houses are in danger. If not this year, it will collapse during next monsoon. The government is constructing houses for only those who have lost their houses in landslides and the flood.”

Sunanda from Madapura said, “We eke out a living through coolie. Our owners are in distress. We get employment only two days in a week. The loans borrowed from micro finance and SHGs should be waived off.”

Halagunda Gram Panchayat former member Yusuf said, “The residents living on the banks of the river should be rehabilitated. Wild elephant menace should be checked.”

Hotel Owners Association President V R Nagendra Prasad said, “Tourism is hit hard following the landslides and floods. Hence, hotels should be exempted from GST. The loan repayment period should be extended. The tourism department should take up a campaign on the safety of tourist spots in the district.”

State Growers Federation secretary Vishwanath urged the government to announce special package to Kodagu. About 50% of the crops have been damaged in landslides. The loans borrowed by the coffee growers should be converted to long term loans, he demanded.

M P Manu Medappa from Madapura said, “Coffee and pepper crops have been completely damaged. The paddy fields and coffee estates in 40 villages have been damaged completely. The government should announce a special package and remove silt from Harangi reservoir.”

Scientist Dr Sujatha said farmland should be rejuvenated by growing grass first.