Deputy Commissioner S. Ziyuallah has asked officials to ensure that banks did not use crop loss compensation for the repayment of loans taken by farmers.
At a meeting of officials in Hunnur village in Hukkeri taluk on Thursday, the DC asked officials to take action against banks that utilise the relief amount for adjusting against loan repayments. He asked the lead bank manager to keep an eye on such activities and respond swiftly to complaints.
Officials told the DC that the relief amount would be credited to farmers’ accounts in two days.
The DC also asked revenue officials to ensure that the dependants of farmers who commit suicide were compensated immediately.
“The tahsildar and other officials should visit the family of the farmers as soon as they hear the news of suicide. Officials should also follow up with the police and the Health Department to get necessary documents as soon as possible,” he said.
Similar urgency should be displayed in case of rain damage to houses, he said. Tahsildars should strive to provide land for burial grounds for different communities in all villages. The burial grounds can be fenced under MNREGA. Relevant instructions have been sent to zilla panchayat officers, the DC said.
“Revenue officials should speed up releasing land for hostels and offices of various government departments. They should take up removal of encroachments of Waqf lands,” he said. Joint Director of Agriculture Jilani Mokashi said that the district had suffered around 17% deficit rainfall. “Sowing has been around 77%. It may go up to 100% by the end of this month,” he said. He clarified that there was no scarcity of seeds or fertilizers.