Declare coastal districts as flood hit: Ex-MLC

Mangaluru: KPCC vice president Ivan D’Souza has urged the state government to declare coastal districts, hit by continuous rainfall for the last 10 days, as flood-affected areas. Additional special grants should be released to the districts to take up relief measures, he told reporters on Monday.
D’Souza urged the state government to issue a white paper on the amount of money utilised for carrying out relief measures in rain-hit areas in the state. The white paper should also mention funds available with the district administration to deal with rain-related issues. He demanded that chief minister Basavaraj Bommai visit the affected areas and take stock of the situation.
“Congress leaders have been visiting the affected areas and extending a helping hand to victims in rain-hit areas. The rain has also increased the spread of infectious diseases. The government should take the necessary steps to ensure that people get treatment in hospitals,” he said.
Preparations on for ex-CM’s birthday fete
KPCC vice president Ivan D’Souza said that district and state-level committees have been constituted for the success of the 75th birthday celebrations of former CM Siddaramaiah in Davanagere on August 3. Siddaramaiah 75 Amritha Mahotsava Samiti is chalking out plans for the success of the programme which will be attended by 10 lakh people.
“Siddaramaiah is a prominent leader in the party. He need not establish his identity through such programmes. The birthday celebrations are organised by the party and his well-wishers. The party believes in collective leadership,” he said, adding the celebrations are not being organised keeping elections in mind.