Udupi: Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Udupi unit claimed irregularities in the distribution of compensation to the farmers affected by the fruit rot disease or ‘kole roga’ in the district.
Last year the rot disease caused a great loss to the farmers of karavali. Consequently, the government had declared a maximum compensation of Rs. 12,000 per hectare.
For Dakshina Kannada Rs. 30-crore was sanctioned, out of which the government released Rs. 3 crore. Sangha members said that the discrepancy is the result of irresponsibility of the government officials of the horticulture and revenue departments.
Sathyanarayana Udupa, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said, from Karkala 2100, Kundapura 479 and from Udupi 48 applications were received out of which 240 applications from Kundapur are kept pending.
There are cases where beneficiaries received more than two cheques while some are left with nothing. There is no confirmation on allotted amount and it is said that many received only half amount promised. There are 38 people who received compensation,yet do not own any land. There are also 10 to 15 applications given by one person with different addresses and same RTC. These discrepancies affect the genuine farmers.
The tahsildar has signed the compensation cheques. The cheque number is not mentioned in the compensation receipts. The survey numbers mentioned do not tally with original RTC.
He demanded strict action against officials who are responsible for these irregularities.
The Udupi district administration has in response to the sangha’s charge, launched a probe into the alleged irregularities in the distribution of compensation to areca growers, whose plantations were affected due to ‘Kole Roga’ or fruit rot.
