Madikeri: The heavy downpour and landslides have caused distress among the people of Kodagu. In order to provide necessary suggestions and directions on relief work, the Kodagu Natural Disaster and Flood Victims Association, the Karnataka Cultivators Association along with the Kodagu Planters Association have decided to organise a rally on September 28.

In a press meet held on Tuesday, September 25, the Flood Victims Association President Mandepanda Manumedappa said, “On this Friday, a rally will be held from the General Thimayya Circle till the DC office and a memorandum will be submitted to the district administration.”

“Demands relating to special package for the victims, loan waiver, construction of houses, removal of muck, relief fund for coffee, tea and sambar crops, proofs on issues relating to the Harangi Dam and many more will be addressed. Survey on the geographical area, salary to the victims, pension schemes and other important issues will also be discussed”, he added.

Manumedappa also gave a call to all including villagers, victims, organisations, businessmen to partake in the rally and make it a success.

He made it clear that the rally was just to make the relief works gain momentum and that the officers, district in-charge minister and the MP’s work hard towards the relief process.

Manumedappa said, “The Kodagu Natural Disaster and Flood Victims Association was a voluntary association which was formed to conduct a research and survey of 40 villages, draft a detailed report and send the same to the state and central governments.”

Nanda Belliyappa, President of Karnataka Cultivators Association said, “Due to heavy downpour from August 12 to 18, the district has witnessed one of its worst nightmares. When the NDRF had visited the district, a request had been submitted relating to the relief fund for cultivation”.

“The state government had fixed a rate of Rs 35000 for 1 hectare. Now for the same rate, the land dimension had increased to 2 hectares. The fund allotted is very minimal. We’ll wait for the special package until the rates are fixed based on the memorandum submitted by the Coffee Association”, he added.

Nanda Belliappa also suggested saying, “More than 33 percent of the crops are damaged. The package should be announced based on the market rates of the crops. It is also applicable for the plantation that is damaged in the farms due to massive landslides.”

He also mentioned that a proper geographical survey was necessary based on the cracked land. “It is very important to know the pros and cons of Harangi Dam”. he added.

K K Vishwanath, Spokesperson of Cultivators Association said, “The coffee farmers were already under loss and due to heavy rains the condition has worsened. A request is being made to waive off the interest rates on the loans and a meeting will be held by the finance department soon on the same.”

Relating to crop loan and construction of houses, already a discussion was arranged with the ministers concerned. A long term relief fund must be allotted. A detailed report of the damage caused is yet to reach the Centre”, he added.

Ramesh B N, Director of Cultivators Association, Law Advisor Ratan Thamayya and others were present in the press meet.