Lokayukta tells DDPI

Madikeri: Lokayukta Justice P. Vishwanath Shetty has suggested to the Deputy Director of Department of Public Instruction (DDPI) to take keen interest to see that the flood-affected children of Kodagu are admitted compulsorily to residential schools.

He was chairing a meeting of officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and gathering information about the steps taken with regard to the flood victims.

As a lot of students in the district are affected and many private schools are coming forward to admit them, the Administration should make use of this offer. The children should compulsorily be admitted to residential schools, he said.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction Walter Demello, speaking on the occasion, said that 763 children found it difficult to attend the schools. Out of this, 80 percent had already been admitted to nearby schools. The remaining will also be admitted, he added.

Justice Vishwanth Shetty also got the information from the technical experts regarding the Madikeri-Manguluru National Highway damaged due to floods and directed the Division Engineer to send the report to him through the Deputy Commissioner about the damages.

Hundreds of cattle have died due to natural calamity and instead of giving Rs.30,000 to the cattle owners, they should be given cows and other cattle. This is the only way they can improve economically, he suggested.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) P.I. Sreevidya, who briefed at the beginning of the meeting, said that 186 houses had been completely damaged and 934 partially damaged.

The rescue teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force,  State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), National disaster Response Fund (NDRF), Police Department, KSRP and other teams participated in the rescue operations, she said.

Many have joined hands with the District Administration and in the coming days, a lot of effort is needed to rebuild Kodagu. Even from the Lokayukta, two SPs, two Dy.SPs and seven Inspectors had been deployed, said Lokayukta Shetty.

Lokayukta ADGP Sanjay, Secretary Vijaykumar and Addl. DC M. Satish Kumar were present.