UDUPI: State Health and Family Welfare Minister and District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader Fareed has issued strict directives to all government departments to work in absolute coordination to effectively tackle natural disasters during the ongoing monsoon season. Chairing a high-level review meeting on monsoon damages and drinking water supply at the Dr. V.S. Acharya Auditorium in the District Panchayat office, Manipal, on Saturday evening, the minister emphasized that immediate responses are vital when floods occur.

The minister instructed Village Accountants (VAs) and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) to immediately visit affected areas during instances of floods, lightning, or heavy rain distress. “Officers must visit the ground to console the victims, instill psychological confidence, and swiftly clear government relief funds. No victim should feel abandoned by the administration,” Khader stated. He outlined the immediate compensation grid: an interim relief of ₹5,000 for displaced persons, ₹5 lakh in case of accidental death, and ₹1,200,000 for fully damaged houses, supplemented by an assistance of ₹3,75,000 via the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation for rebuilding homes. He urged bureaucrats to adopt a smart, humanitarian approach rather than hiding behind legal bottlenecks.

No Classes in Dilapidated Rooms; Strict Checks on Epidemics: Taking stock of the education sector, Minister Khader strictly prohibited schools from conducting classes in leaky or structurally compromised classrooms due to heavy rains. He reviewed the distribution of text books and uniforms with education officials and ordered immediate clearance of pending stocks. The Animal Husbandry department was tasked with ensuring adequate stockpiles of fodder and drinking water for cattle. To counter monsoon-borne diseases, the Health department was instructed to intensify public health education. The minister passed a stern directive to cancel the licenses of commercial establishments that act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and mandated immediate fogging in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya hotspots.

Further, the Agriculture department was directed to ensure zero shortage of seeds and fertilizers for the Kharif season while promoting crop insurance policies among farmers. Addressing infrastructure concerns, Khader asked Public Works Department (PWD) engineers to repair potholes immediately. “Negligence in road maintenance leads to accidents, which tarnishes the government’s reputation and invites public wrath upon elected representatives,” the minister warned, adding that roadside storm-drains must be cleared for free flow of rainwater. He ordered the creation of a ‘Joint Coordination Committee’ comprising the Forest Department, Mescom, Rural Development, and local urban bodies to handle emergency responses for the next three months.

Udupi district MLAs Yashpal A. Suvarna, Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, A. Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Coastal Development Authority Chairman M.A. Gafoor, Brahmashree Narayana Guru Development Corporation Chairman Manjunath Poojari, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., ZP CEO Prateek Bayal, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, and Conservator of Forests Ruthen were present at the meeting.

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