Bhatkal: Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal S. Vaidya on Friday visited the homes of families affected by the Shirali river tragedy and distributed compensation cheques sanctioned by the Karnataka government and the Fisheries Department to the kin of those who drowned while collecting oysters from the river.

 

During the visit to Sharada Hole village, the minister was seen consoling grieving family members as he handed over the relief cheques.

 

According to officials, Vaidya had immediately contacted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the tragedy and secured an emergency compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each bereaved family. He later facilitated an additional Rs 10 lakh compensation through the Fisheries Department, taking the total government relief to Rs 15 lakh per family.

Accompanied by Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya, the minister personally visited each affected household and distributed the compensation cheques.

 

Apart from the government assistance, he contributed Rs 1 lakh from his personal funds to each family. The Bhatkal Janata Cooperative Bank, which he heads, also extended financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to every affected family.

 

Expressing concern over the future of children who lost their parents in the tragedy, Vaidya assured that their education expenses would be fully supported according to their interests and aspirations. He also said efforts would be made to provide jobs in local cooperative institutions to youths who had lost the earning members of their families.

 

The minister also visited a house where four children were orphaned in the tragedy and assured them of continued support.

 

Stating that he did not wish to celebrate his birthday on June 5 in view of the tragedy, Vaidya announced a personal contribution of Rs 5 lakh towards the construction of a house for the orphaned children.

 

Appealing to the public to support the bereaved families, he urged people of the district to come forward with financial assistance for the victims.

 

Bhatkal Tahsildar Nagendra Kolashetty, Bhatkal Block Congress president Venkatesh Naik, Suresh Naik, Subraya Naik, Krishna Naik, Parameshwar Devadiga, Venkataramana Moger, Manjappa Naik, Gopal Naik, Eerappa Gardikar, Raju Naik and several others were present.