Bidar, 15 Oct

Forest, Biology and Environment Minister and District In-charge Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Tuesday announced that Rs 300 crore will be disbursed by 30 October as compensation for crop losses caused by heavy rains in Bidar district last month, including the additional Rs 8,500 per hectare announced by the Chief Minister.

Presiding over the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Khandre directed tahsildars of rain-hit taluks to record damage details on the official relief portal by Wednesday evening and expedite payments. He said Rs 170 crore has already been disbursed under NDRF and SDRF norms, with the remaining amount to be cleared before Deepavali.

Khandre reprimanded tahsildars of Basavakalyan, Bhalki, and Bidar taluks for delays in house damage relief, warning of disciplinary action against negligent officers. He instructed that all pending cases be settled within 24 hours.

Emphasising transparency, he ordered public display of relief data at gram panchayat and tahsildar offices, with announcements inviting objections from villagers.

The minister also directed the Agriculture Department to invoke the Mid-Season Adversity clause under the crop insurance scheme to ensure fair payouts.

Responding to MLA Dr Shailendra Beldale over a fatal electrocution incident, Khandre ordered installation of covered conductors at power-line joints to prevent accidents. He further asked tahsildars to brief local MLAs on rain-related casualties, crop loss, and restoration works.