Government has failed to take precautionary steps: Opposition

Bangalore, July 16 (UNI) Opposition Congress members in Karnataka Legislativ Council today accused the government of failing to take proper precautionary measures to avoid large scale damage to property and life due to heavy rains.

Participating in a discussion on rain havoc in the State V S Ugrappa (Congress) said that despite warning by the Meteorological Department about possibility of heavy rainfall in the state the Government has failed to take precautionary steps. He said due to heavy rain in many parts of the State, including Coastal and Malnad belt, large scale damages has occurred. But the Ministers have not shown interest in visiting the affected places he claimed.

Taking strong exception to release of water from Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, he said that the government should have taken steps to solve the drinking water problem in Hassan District by utilising the excess water in Cauvery before releasing it to neighbouring State.

Mr Pratapchandra Shetty (Cong) said that every year the coastal areas in the State facing problems like sea erosion and the temporary measures taken up, including putting sand bags and boulders, have been washed away once rainy season starts. The government had failed to take preventive measures. The construction of preventive wall should have been first step towards constructing permanent wall, instead it was being washed away in the rough sea.

He said that the State Government has released Rs two crore for relief works without consulting local bodies and elected representatives.

Mr Anand (Cong) said that in Hassan District, due to heavy rain, the potato and tobacco growers have incurred heavy loss and the State government, leave about giving compensation for the loss, has not released compensation of last year.

The discussion was inconclusive.

UNI