Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Severe Loss Of Lives And Crop Damage In Bagalkot District, ... on 21 November, 2019
Seventeenth Loksabha > Title: Issue regarding severe loss of lives and crop damage in Bagalkot district, Karnataka.
SHRI P. C. GADDIGOUDAR (BAGALKOT): Sir, I hasten to raise an important issue, though belatedly, relating to severe loss of lives and crop damage in my district Bagalkot, Karnataka during the last monsoon, the heaviest in more than hundred years.
Contrary to the perception that my constituency Bagalkot is considered a barren and drought prone area, this time it suffered the heaviest deluge of rains causing intensive crop damages as also loss of precious human lives and livestock. In quick response, the State Government had rushed rescue teams to the flood affected areas and announced compensation for two lakh families along with an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh for the kin of each deceased victim. In addition to this, emergency supplies of essential commodities were also provided by the State Government to the marooned people.
It is because of torrential rains, the course of rivers changed causing erosion of river embankments and the surging waters washed away the top soil, thereby making the terrain unproductive until restoration measures were undertaken on a mass scale. The Cente has been apprised of the extent of damage caused by floods and funds needed to restore normalcy in terms of restoration of communication, roads and bridges as also replenishing top soil of a large area raising agricultural and horticultural crops to become productive again. With its meagre resources and fiscal constraints, the State Government expects the Centre to come forward by releasing calamity funds in order that rehabilitation of the flood affected people and restoration of the soil are taken up early in view of the forthcoming crop season.
I urge upon the Centre to respond to my plea with urgency and compassion. Thank you, Sir.