21.08.91

*t17

DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193

Flood and Drought Situation in the Country Contd.

430 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country MR. SPEAKER : We will now resume the discussion on floods and drought in the country. One hour is made available for the discussion here. I have a few names with me. I would request each of the Hon.

Members to complete his speech in five to seven minutes' time so that four, five or six Hon. Members can speak and the Hon. Minister may reply. Shri Pius Tirkey was on his legs. He may please continue.

SHRI SRIKANTA JENA (Cuttack): The Minister should also inform the House about the latest position.

MR. SPEAKER: He is going to do it. If you want, I will allow you also to speak.

SHRI LOKANATH CHOUDHURY (Jagatsinghpur): Nobody from our group has spoken on this subject.

MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you to speak.

SHRI PIUS TIRKEY (Alipurdwar): Mr. Speaker, Sir, that day I was submitting that it is criticized in every session. But when there are floods or drought the Government takes a different stand and we are also in a tight spot. We can neither save them. nor provide them medicines nor food nor shelter. This is the position when we have Flood Commission. It was set up long time ago in 1958. The committee also set targets and identified the flood prone areas. At the same time many stations were set up for the purpose of forecasting and maintaining vigilance. Forecasting units were supposed to identify the flood prone areas and warn the people well in time. I would like to know from the hon. Minister as to why the people were not warned in time? What is the proof that they did not leave the place despite being warned. This led to a heavy loss of life and property. Why did the sta-

431 Discussion Under RUle 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country [Sh. Pius Tirkey]

tions set up for forecasting not warn the people beforehand? The Government so far have not made any provision for those who suffered heavy losses due to this. I have figures with me and I hope these are correct. There are 500 hydro Metrological stations and Forecasting centres. They did not give any warning.

I have got the figures of West Bengal. About 26.5 lakh hectares area of land has been identified as a flood prone area, which comes to about 30 per cent of the total area of the state. Only, 19.5 lakh hectares out of it has been protected. Floods and erosion have been causing loss of about Rs. 26.90 crores. Ganga Flood Control Commission was set up and it was asked to identify the area being eroded by the Ganga. Fertility of land is also being affected. Similar situation prevails in many other states like Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal etc. A separate Commission was set up for them in 1987. I would like to know whether the Government would take their advice into consideration. I would like to submit that due to the natural calamites country suffers a heavy loss of life and property every year and there spreads many diseases. Inspite of all this the Government did nothing to protect the people. Flood prone areas have already been identified. Human beings may manage to get food but the animals are starving to death. The Minister of Agriculture is present here. The Minister of Environment and Water Resources should also be present. If you look at the nature while travelling in train you would find that the mountains have completely been denuded and there is no grass on them. Unless the Ministers of Environment and Water Resources pay attention to it and prepare some scheme the situation will continue to deteriorate and discussion will go on in Parliament. We will also have to charge the food habits. Wheat and rice are not the only food essential for the survival of man. We can divert to poultry and sea fish as

432 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country alternative foods so that man is not forced to starve and may not be deprived of basic needs. Once again I urge upon the Government to pay attention to this matter. The Government should take measures to counter the situation whenever there is flood and drought.

SHRI LOKANATH CHOUDHURY: Mr. Speaker, Sir, before I speak on the subject, I want to thank the Prime Minister, through you, Sir, for going over to Orissa today along with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Shri K. C. Lenka and other officials. He has associated with the miseries of the people of Orissa. He has contributed Rs. 10 lakhs and promised 5,000 tonnes of rice. He has also taken the problem of Orissa into consideration. For that, again I thank him.

I also thank you, Sir, for your intervevtion yesterday in favour of the people of Orissa who were suffering from miseries.

On the other day, by friend Shri Chandra Jeet Yadav widely spoke about floods. Since June 15th, the whole country,Assam, Mizoram and other parts, had witnessed floods.

When this matter was raised here, there were floods in Orissa.

And in those floods, 100 blocks were affected in 9 districts; five lakh acres of crop were damaged; there were 62 breaches; 1,038 houses were damaged; 17 people died; and 60,332 village road , were washed away. Along with these, there were innumerable breaches in the roads of nine districts.

No sooner Orissa has passed over this floods, again on 14th August, there were heavy floods not only in Mahanathi system but also in Brahmini, Vaitarani and Subarn Rekha systems. As a result, six districts are badly affected. One thing I want to say because it will be required to be known for the permanent control of

433 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the countary

floods in Orissa, that at Naraj, where Mahanadi system is distributed into so many ways, if the discharge of water from there would be 10 lakh cusecs, then the whole flood system can stand to it. If it is beyond 10 lakh cusecs, then there will be damage. But this time there was an expectation of 16 lakh cusecs going out of Naraj. Had it happened, it would have resulted in washing away whole of Cuttack town and more prosperous parts of Orissa. But due to the intervention of the Chief Minister and I thank him for that, about 4 lakh cusecs of water was held up at Naraj. Though risk was involved, yet this could be less. So, as a result, today in seven blocks crop has been damaged, 42,000 villages are affected and 50 lakh acres of land has been submerged in water. 300 villages are still marooned. Innumerable road breahes are there. But the unfortunate part is that when there was a necessity of approching the people. giving them food, the Orissa Government had no means. On 14th night, they negotiated with the Army to come to their rescue. But the Army did not reach. It reached on the 18th. They also requested and negotiated with the Air Force for helicopters for dropping food. Unfortunately, that was also possible after four days. For four days there was no human contact with lakhs of people who were staying there in a miserable condition. And here we thought that our Army and our Air Force must have come to their help.

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI K. C.

LENKA) Regarding the requisition of the Army help, as soon as the Army Headquarters received the request from the Government of Orissa on 15th, the same day, the sanction was accorded and instructions were given to Ranchi to send helicopters to Orissa. Next day, the helicopters started to go to Bhubneswar. But due to bad weather they remained landed at Ranchi. The whole day, they tried to reach Bhubneswar but failed. They came to Patna. From there they tried to reach Bhubneswar but were not successful.

434 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country Again they halted at Patna. Next day, they were successful in reaching there. As soon as they reached there, rescue operations had started.

So there was no delay on the part of Government of India in sending helicopters to the Government of Orissa.

SHRI LOKANATH CHOUDHURY: That is one factor. But the Army could have gone earlier. And I think, the helicopters could have been sent much earlier also. Four days had gone in negotiation. When people are in misery, it is no use defending ourselves. It is in bad taste and I do not like that.

Last year, there was fast flood in Orissa. In a particular area hundred years of constructions were washed away. The State Government had no money to cope with it. The then Prime Minister, Shri Chandra Shekhar, went there and promised a sum of Rs. 50 crores as extra grant. But not a single pie reached there. The Orissa Government had to manage within the limit given by the Finance Commission. It will be impossible to save the people of Orissa this year. Therefore, I will urge upon the Government of India that this year's calamity in Orissa should be treated as a national calamity and the help should not be confined to the grant of Finance Commission which is much too less than the requirement. The Government of India should take into consideration this factor and the tragedy of Orissa should be treated as a national tragedy. And apart from it. I want to press that this flood problem in Orissa cannot be solved because the whole situation has undergone a change. There was 550 m.m. of rains. All the rivers are silted up. Hirakud is silted up. You cannot raise the embankment to that extent. So, it has become necessary to dredge the rivers: it has become necessary to control the silt; it has become necessary to open up the river mouths. To save Orissa from water logging, the measures which are required are the discharge of water and other measures and these should be started in a planned way.

435 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the countary

[Sh. Lokanath Choudhury]

I want to say one more thing. This year Orissa's miseries will be worst. The Government of India should treat this not as a State affair but as a national calamity. In this connection I want to say that there are many areas in the country like Andhra and many other areas including Orissa which are chronically affected by flood, cyclone and other natural calamities. So, it is high time now that the Government of India should identify those areas and those problems cannot be solved by the resources of the State. Therefore, a Central Authority should be created for dredging the rivers; for removing the water logging from the rivers; for opening up of river mouths especially in Orissa in Chilika lake. If these permanent measures are not be taken in a planned way with the objective of completing it within the ten years,the miseries of Orissa will never go. Therefore, I would appeal to the Government, through you, Sir, that along with that. treat this calamity as a national calamity, giving all aid to Orissa- special aid- not confining to the limits of the Finance Commission and supply seeds for the next crop to Orissa. Today, availability of rice is less in Orissa. So, rice should be sent there. In addition to these measures, permanent measures should be taken. The areas in the country should be identified. The Central Authority should be created with special money to solve these problems, so that the economy in these areas is stabilised. With these words, I thank you very much.

SHRI SRIKANTA JENA (Cuttack): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I fully endorse the views given by Shri Lokanath Choudhury about the flood situation of Orissa. I must thank you and I must say that the Prime Minister has gone to Orissa today to see the flood situation there. The flood situation what I have gathered today has not improved. The situation is still in alarming stage and people are still marooned. The Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Agriculture have seen the position with their own

436 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the contry eyes. The problem of flood, drought and even cyclone is a common phenomenon in Orissa. Every year, we used to face either drought or flood or cyclone. Unless permanent measures are taken and the Government of India comes to the assistance of the State Government, this problem of Orissa will not be solved. So, that is why I request the hon. Minister, especially the Water Resources Minister to come forward and assist the Government of Orissa. They have sent the proposal to the Water Resources Ministry regarding the permanent flood control measures. We had a meeting recently of all the MPs. We met the Minister and we also discussed about this problem. But, unless the Government of India comes forward with a helping hand to the Government of Orissa, this problem cannot be solved. That is why I say that permanent flood control measures and permanent measures in cyclone-prone areas should be taken.

As regards the damage that has been done during the current floods, I fully endorse the views expressed by Shri Lokanath Choudhury that special assistance should be given. Whatever assistance is there 75 per cent by Government of India and 25 per cent by the State Government or whatever it is that is not sufficient. If you see the damage that has been done, it requires more than Rs. 500 crores to restore it, and the Government of Orissa's total budget is hardly Rs.

800 crores. So, it is just not possible for the Government of Orissa to restore whatever damage has been done. Unless the Government of India gives special assistance, it is not possible to restore normalcy. That is why I request the hon. Minister to treat this as a national calamity. Unless vou declare it as a special national calamity, whatever guidelines, whatever criteria are there, you cannot release the funds.

The former Prime Minister Chandra Shekharji, after going to Ganjam district. had announced an extra amount of Rs. 50 crores but after his announcement, he could not release that amount because it was not declared

437 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country as a national calamity. So, whatever criteria are there, unless it is declared as a special national calamity, the Government of India cannot release the funds. The Prime Minister has seen the situation, the Minister has also seen the situation, so, immediately they should declare it as a national calamity and accordingly assist the Government of Orissa to restore normalcy there.

As regards the permanent flood control measures, the Mahanadi system, the Brahmani system and other systems are there but unless we go in for another dam downstream on Mahanadi and also on Vaitarni, flood control is not possible. The Government of Orissa has already submitted a programme for flood control, for raising of embankment and for desilting. Unless the river mouths are raised, it is just not possible to clear the flood water. There is silting in Hirakud dam and that is why Hirakud dam is also in a dangerous position. The Orissa Government and the World Bank are also taking steps in this regard but I think they are not adequate. Unless the Government of India takes special measures for the safety of Hirakud Dam, the entire Orissa will be washed away because Mahanadi is the main lifeline of Orissa. That is why I will only urge upon the Government of India that because of this current flood and because of the permanent nature of floods in Orissa, they must assist the Government of Orissa adequately and declare this calamity as a national calamity so that the people of Orissa can recover from this tragedy.

SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR (Chimur): Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is good that we managed to spare a little time of the House to discuss this important issue. For the last ten days we had been discussing the matter. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not a novel issue this year, we have been discussing the matter for the last forty years.

MR. SPEAKER: We have very short time. Please confine yourself to the floods in your area, otherwise

438 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country it would not be possible to give adequate time to you.

SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am emphasising the same thing. I have been here in the Parliament for the last ten years and every year with the advent of monsoon we have discussed this matter.

We discuss the flood situation in the country when monsoon starts and discuss drought situation when monsoon is over, it has become a regular feature. I would like to mention one basic thing.

Keeping all these factors in view the Ministry of Water Resources was set up in 1985. If there was more than average rainfall, the country was hit by floods and if there was no rainfall, the country was hit by drought.

Both these things are connected with water and we have not taken these issues into account. The hon. Minister of Agriculture is present here. But he has his limitations and is not able to help us because this subject of flood control comes under the state list. It has been provided in the Constitution. As such no central assistance is provided at the time of flood and drought and no concrete action is taken. In fact, as this issue is connected with water, it is directly dealt with by the Ministry of Water Resources which is supposed to ensure that every drop of water and every inch of land of this country is utilised. Therefore, it was very necessary for the hon. Minister of Water Resources to be present here, so that he could have suggested some solution after pondering over all the points. The hon. Minister of Agriculture will reply to the debate that is going on in the House today although, he is unable to provide any solution. We will continue to discuss these issues in this House every year, but no solution could be found because this responsibility has been given to state Governments, I want that a permanent programme should be chalked out in this regard so that a permanent

439 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country [Sh. Vilas Muttemwar]

solution could be found. The representatives of Orissa spoke a lot about the flood which has occurred in the state now-a-days. I come from Maharashtra. You have seen the flood in Vidarbha and the damage caused to Mowad village, 240 people lost their lives in it. Not only this, near about 400 people are still missing, about whom, it is not certain whether they were washed away or went away somewhere else.

In this way, these things are happening only due to the misutilisation of river waters. Through you, I would like to tell the Government and the hon. Minister of Agriculture that unless we make proper utilisation of waters of all the rivers in our country, we will continue to have discussions on this issue every year, but the problem will remain as it is.

You are fully aware how the Cauvery water dispute arose last month. The people of one state raised a lot of hue and cry when they did not get water. Water is a bare necessity of our life. One can live without food one time but it is not possible to live without water.

The ground water level of our country is constantly going down. It is very necessary to give serious thought to this issue by making proper coordination of all these points, so that this discussion being done every year should be avoided. We have to constitute a fund for this purpose. Despite having discussions every year, the situation remains the same when the monsoon is over. This only wastes the time of the House. This is not the question of any particular party. Some effective measures has to be taken in this regard so that flood and drought could be controlled. I would also like to say that in 1972 Dr.

Rao had made a recommendation for preparing a scheme for connecting the rivers, Ganga and Cauvery. The estimated expenditure of the project at that time was about Rs. 12,000 crores and today the escalated expenditure would touch the staggering figure of Rs. 50,000 crores. But the project would have covered

440 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country all the states. In the last session, a separate issue was raised by the people of Assam regarding the Brahmputra which causes flood every year. The question of the Brahmputra and the Ganga.........

MR. SPEAKER: You are speaking about all floods excepting in your own constituency. I will allow you to speak about your constituency.

SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR: Mr. Speaker Sir, that is what I want to say that some permanent arrangement should be made to control floods.

MR. SPEAKER: The time is very limited.

SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR: Regarding flood in Mowad I would only say that relief and central assistance should be provided to the victims of flood in the village.

MR. SPEAKER: Now Shri Sriballav Panigrahi.

Please don't repeat the points already covered, so that others could make their point.

I am following a method. I am allowing the Members from one State, Orissa, and then I will go to Karnataka and then to other States. I called out the name of Shri Vilas Muttemwar but it should have been Shri Panigrahi. I am going by this. I will allow you to speak.

SHRI NIRMAL KANTI CHATTERJEE (Dum Dum): We have one Member from Assam also.

SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI (Deogarh): Sir, as you know, Orissa is a very poor and backward State

441 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country and it is now reeling under the severity of floods. I would say that floods are a regular feature. Orissa is known as the home of natural calamity. Every year the State is visited by natural calamities-be it floods, drought or cyclone. But the degree or the magnitude of the calamity varies. It differs every year. The present floods which Orissa is experiencing right now are severe.

Day before yesterday this matter was raised here and yesterday we also raised this matter in this House, and requested our hon. Prime Minister to make an on-the-spot study and assessment of the situation.

We are grateful that he readily agreed and he paid a visit this morning itself. Sir, this goes to show the sympathy of the Prime Minister himself and of the Congress Government, and the Orissa people expect a lot from the Prime Minister after his visit.

Sir, Orissa had a total number of more than 45,000 revenue villages and with hamlets it will be slightly over 50,000 villages and out of that 9,404 villages spread over 999 gram panchayats under 101 C. D. Blocks in 7 districts are severely affected by this flood. So, this very figure goes to show the magnitude of this flood. As you know, of course the Ninth Finance Commission have come out with their recommendations and according to their recommendations. Orissa's share will be around Rs. 50 crores annually. In any normal year it is all right, Sir. But in an extraordinary situation like this it is certainly beyond the competence, beyond the capacity of the State Government to meet the calamity of this magnitude. Therefore, Sir, I would urge upon the Government of India to consider this case sympathetically and do all that is possible to mitigate the sufferings of the afflicted people.

Now, this has two aspects-longterm and short-term. Regarding the short-term aspect, I would say that some rice is distributed, some gratuity relief is given and some house building grant is given. It is just a token

442 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country of Government sympathy. The loss that occurs in a calamity like this can never be compensated. No Government can compensate it, neither the Orissa Government nor the Government of India can compensate it. All that is given is just a token of Government sympathy. So, let it be done-house building grant and all that. But I would request that since it is a humanitarian problem, let there be no politics in it. What we find is, I am constrained to observe that even in this matter political consideration is introduced locally in Orissa. That should be avoided by all means and All-Party Committees should be set up there. The Government of India should monitor from Delhi the implementation of the relief measures etc.

About the long-term measures, Sir, one hon. Member suggested about Hirakund Dam. Sir, Mahanadi is one of the mightiest rivers of India. At one time it was contemplated to have three dams to control the floods. Only at one point, i.e., Hirakud, we have constructed a dam. It is now cutliving its utility with heavy silting and also cracks appearing in it, threatening the people living in the downstream there. Therefore, all-out efforts should be made to repair the dam and desilt the reservoir.

Another thing is that there are a large number of small rivers, nullahs and tributaries in Orissa and instead of going for building mighty dams which will cost huge amount that is beyond our capacity, we should tame all those nullahs and tributaries, which will go a long way in containing floods besides providing irrigation.

Sir, this time flood was of the order of 10 lakh cusecs only in the river Tel, which is a tributary of river Mahanadi. At Naraj which is the head of the delta, a flood of more than 10 lakh cusecs causes havoc. And this time it was more than 12.8 lakh cusecs there.

Therefore, what I would suggest is that all the tributaries, nullahs etc.

443 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country [Sh. Sriballav Panigrahi]

should be tamed by way of construction of dams over there. You know, it is a national waste of water. The C.W.C. and other expert bodies should address themselves to this problem and find out the solution.

Sir, another hon. Member suggested, and it is in fact so, that only with the occurrence of flood we discuss it here, and then again forget about it after that. So, there should be a longterm programme.

On the one side, floods are claiming lives and on the other side drought also makes the lives of the farmers miserable. So, there should be a comprehensive and coordinated action plan to prevent drought and flood.

With these words, I thank you for giving an opportunity to speak on this topic.

SHRI S. MALLIKARJUNAIAH (Tumkur): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am coming from a district which is constantly affected by drought.

SHRI NIRMAL KANTI CHATTERJEE (Dum Dum): The Deputy Speaker is also speaking now.

MR. SPEAKER: The Deputy Speaker can speak when the Speaker is in the Chair.

SHRI CHNDRA JEET YADAV (Azamgarh): There should be a time when the Speaker can also speak.

MR. SPEAKER: It is very dangerous for the Speaker to speak.

SHRI S. MALLIKARJUNAIAH: My district Tumkur is constantly hit by famine. Now, throughout the country there is flood havoc, but in our district there is famine; coconut gardens are withering away, cattles are sold in jathas and there is scarcity for fodder. For this purpose, I would suggest that the rivers Ganga and Cauvery should be linked up.

444 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country it is taken up, I think, it will solve the problem. There is a strained relationship between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka because of water. If Ganga-Cauvery link is taken up, I think, we can solve major problems. I wish that the Government should very seriously think about this matter so that both flood and famine problems can be solved. In North India also, according to some experts, some rivers can be linked up, with the result the whole country can have the benefit of sufficient water.

Sir, so far as the channel from Hemavathi to Tumkur is concerned, I should be highly thankful to our senior friend Shri Devegowda. He was a Minister in our State for a very long time in charge of irrigation and public works departments. During his tenure, he was able to give funds, with the result the major channel work was completed. But, still for want of sufficient funds, acquisition matters are getting delayed and digging of the channels has slowed down. Therefore, I request the Central Government to come to the rescue of the Government of Karnataka and allot more funds. Further, I want to suggest that a development board should be constituted consisting the districts of Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurgh and Bangalore (Rural). Virtually these four districts are hit by drought almost every year. To avoid this, a development board shall have to be constituted and special measures shall have to be taken up to see that sufficient dry land development programmes are taken up so that the problem in Karnataka can be solved to a little extent. I hope the Government would apply its mind in this respect and help the people of Karnataka.

MR. SPEAKER: I am sure the conscientious Members of this House would like to complete the discussion on this topic today even if we have to sit for a little more time beyond 7.00 p.m.

SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes.

445 Discussion Unter Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA (Hassan): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would only like to point out some of the major damages caused recently due to torrential rain and flood in the river Cauvery. The hon. Members have expressed their views about the seriousness of the flood. But, in Karnataka after 1924, this is the first time we have witnessed this type of flood in the river Cauvery.

I would like to mention only three or four points.

In the recent floods, eight people died and six people were washed away. Unfortunately, sufficient care is not taken by State Government to give compensation to the flood victims.

About 2,000 houses totally collapsed and 1,000 houses were partially damaged. Crops were totally washed away in some areas and were damaged in some other areas.

The total damage may go beyond Rs. 50 crores. Unfortunately, the State Government has no funds.

I do not want to say in this august House about the affairs of the State Government. At this juncture, I do not want to bring in the political situation prevailing in Karnataka. But, anyway, Central Government is in a position to know what is actually going on in Karnataka through its own sources. Their own party people have framed charges against the maladministration of the State Government.

I want the Central Government to see that funds are released.

Under the present pattern of Central Government assistance, whatever assistance they are going to give, that will be adjusted either in the form of plan assistance or loan.

Whatever it may be, the Central Government should make available 446 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country

Rs. 50 crores to the State Government of Karnataka to meet the flood situation.

For those who have lost their houses, funds should be made available to construct their houses through Jawahar Rozgar Yojana so that the poor people can be rehabilitated.

The area that has been affected is only Cauvery Basin districts.

Mysore, Hassan, Mandya, Coorg, and Chikmagalore are the areas which are seriously affected. Tanks are breached. Houses have collapsed and crops have been totally damaged.

I, therefore, insist on the hon. Minister that necessary funds should be made available to the State Government of Karnataka to meet the present crisis.

discussing the havocs created by the floods and droughts in the country. Infact every year the people of this country, particularly, the farmers are affected by these natural calamities. The Centre is spending crores of rupees every year for the relief programmes.

Instead, we have to think about permanent solution for these problems.

I urge upon the Govt. of India through you Sir, to link Ganga and Cauvery. All the State from Uttar Pradesh to Karnataka would be linked and the farmers can grow more food. The economic conditions of the farmer will improve. This plan to link Ganga and Cauvery is pending for a long time. I hope that the Centre would take up this matter seriously and link these two major rivers of our nation.

Some districts like Mysore, Mandya, Coorg are affected by floods.

Our senior colleague has said that there is mal-administration in these districts. I do not agree with his state-

--------------------------------------------------------------------- *Translation of the speech orginally delivered in Kannad.

447 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country

[SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA] :

ment. The Chief Minister has already visited all the flood affected areas in the State and appropriate measure have been taken in this regard. Mr. H. D. Devegowda said that plan expenditure may be cut. I do not agree with him. A suggestion has been made not to spend the plan expenditure money for relief programmes. I am also of the same opinion that the plan expenditure money should not be spent for flood relief works.

Shri H. D. Devegowda in his speech demanded that the Centre should release fifty crores of rupees for relief programmes in the flood affected areas of my State. I join him in his request and I hope that the Centre would immediately release the required amount to the flood affected people of Karnataka. The permanent drought Districts are Kolar, Bangalore, Chitradurga, Tumkur and Bellary. I urge the Hon'ble Minister to take permanent measures in these Districts.

Sir, I thank you for giving me opportunity to speak on this burning problem of the country and with these words I conclude my speech.

SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR (Mangalore): Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the very outset I would like to say that unfortunately due to heavy floods in river Cauvery and river Netravathy, both flowing from my constituency, heavy damages have been caused.

SHRI M.R. KADAMBUR JANARTHANAN (Tirunelveli): You are not

releasing water for Tamil Nadu. That is why there are floods.

(Interruptions)

SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR: I will come to that later. As I was telling a little while ago, the river Cauvery is flowing from Coorge part of my constituency and

448 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country

the river Netravathy is flowing from Dakshina Kannada District, the part of my Mangalore Parliamentary constituency and they have caused heavy damages. 14 people have lost their lives due to heavy floods. On account of breach of river bunds and stream bunds, loss has been caused to the standing-crops. Also, due to formation of mud-heaps and soil erosion considerable damage has been caused to the fields.

Sir, we have been hearing the praise showered by our Orissa friends on the Prime Minister has visit to Orissa. We are happy that the Prime Minister has visited Maharashtra also. But I am sorry to say that the Prime Minister has not bothered to visit Karnataka where so much of damage has been caused...(Interruptions) I would request the hon. Prime Minister to pay an immediate visit to Karnataka for an on- the-spot assessment of the damage caused to life and property. I would request that if not the Prime Minister at least the hon. Agriculture Minister to pay a visit there. What has happened is that damages are being assessed and compensation is being awarded at a meagre rate of Rs. 1.25 per cent of land fore the loss of standing crops. A sum of Rs. 4 per cent i.e. at Rs. 400 per acre is being awarded for damages caused to the lands. This is given to the agriculturists who are having an income less than Rs. 4800 per annum and only they are entitled for this compensation. It is high time all these norms revised.

MR. SPEAKER: Who is assessing the damage? I suppose, it is the State Government which does this and not the Central Government.

SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR: The Central Government has not come to the assistance of the State Government.

MR. SPEAKER: That is to be decided by the State Government. Let us come to the next point now.

449 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR: The State Government has got meagre resources at its command. That is why I request, through you, Sir, the Central Government to grant immediate relief to Karnataka so that all these things could be revised and proper damages could be awarded.

Further, there are also damages caused to the roads. Vehicles cannot move on the road across the river Netravathy, on the Panemangalore bridge. Anytime, the movement of traffic between Mangalore and Bangalore through this National Highway No. 48 via this Panemangalore bridge may be cut-off. Also, there was landslide along this National Highway No. 48 and the Railway-link between Mangalore and Bangalore was cut-off. It remained cut-off for a number of days.

There were heavy floods in Puttur, Bantwal and Uppinangadi area in my constituency in South Canara district. Then there was severe sea erosion in the Ullal area in my constituency.

My other friends have mentioned about many other measures which would prevent the occurrence of floods and drought. I would submit that if proper measures are taken to have the dredging in the sea, like the construction of break waters, the river water will be taken inside the sea and the floods would be controlled.

MR. SPEAKER: You are giving a new point. Very good.

SHRI V. DHANANJAYA KUMAR: There is one more important point. The river beds also should be dredged and also the sea bed should be dredged at the point where the river joins the sea. Break waters inside the sea should be constructed so that water in the sea could easily flow inside the sea and floods could be controlled.

I once again request the Central Government to give adequate assistance to the Karnataka State immediately.

450 Discussion Under Rule 193 Flood & Drought situation in the country [Translation]

many Hon. Members have already spoken about the havocs of floods and droughts.Every year the Govt. is spending crores of rupees for relief works.

Regarding the drought situation our Hon'ble Deputy Speaker, Shri S. Mallikarjunaiah has given the true picture that prevails in Karnataka. The districts of Tumkur, Bellary, Chitradurga and my constituency Chikkaballapura are affected by the drought. Regarding floods our senior colleague, Shri H. D. Devegowda has spoken elaborately. Fourteen persons have lost their lives. Property worth several lakhs of rupees has been lost.I urge upon the Centre to look into this crisis seriously and take suitable measures to help the affected people.

Floods occur every year and much of the water flows into the sea.

The only solution for this perennial loss is to link Ganga and Cauvery rivers. The long pending projects must be taken up at the earliest.

Upper Bhadra Project has to be taken up immediately. This can provide water for irrigation to six districts which are prone to drought.

Bangalore, Tumkur, Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga and Bellary are the areas which are affected by drought. The farmers are not getting water even if they dig the earth 400 ft. deep. This is the condition of the drought-affected areas.

In addition to linking Ganga and Cauvery the water of Mahanadi should be diverted to the South. Then only the country can obtain prosperity and lives of farmers would improve.

In the Cauvery delta many people have been affected by the floods this year. The districts affected are Mysore. Mandya and Coorg. The State

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