Bantwal: The local BJP leaders have alleged the taluk officials of not taking up relief work in the rain-battered Bantwal taluk.
Addressing the news conference on Saturday, BJP Leader G Ananda said that the officials at the taluk-level were busy posing for photos with the destructed houses and plantations on the backdrop.

He said that the heavy rains on May 18 unleashed havoc in the region , specially in Narikombu, Shamboor, B Mooda, Bantwal, Kasba, Navoor, Panjikallu, Kadabettu, Kodambetty areas.

Hundreds of houses and large extent of cultivated land were destroyed.

“Even after five days of the incident, the government has not released even a single rupee for the victim,” he said adding that the officials have been trying to swindle Rs 8 lakhs from the total Rs 15 lakhs released by the state government for the taluk for natural calamity relief.

He alleged that the completely damaged houses which should get a compensation of Rs 50,000 are being given Rs 2,000 by the officials.

He questioned District in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai as to why he has been so laid back when widespread destruction has been caused in his own constituency.