Karnataka Lokayukta has issued orders to register a suo motu case against officials for negligence and dereliction of duty, for failing to carry out proper rehabilitation of flood victims in Belagavi district.

B.S. Patil, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta, has already submitted a preliminary report regarding the damage caused by rainwater intrusion into houses due to excessive rainfall in Bailahongal town.

It said that the floods caused extensive damage, but no loss of life was reported. While the normal rainfall was estimated at 54 mm, the area around Bailhongal received over 97.04 mm of rainfall. The heavy rains caused damage to houses in Havaldara Galli, Channamma Samadhi Road, Kalmath Galli, near Mahadev Swami Math, and Maruti Galli.

On June 8, Ishwar Shilledar, a resident of Bailahongal town, protested against the city municipal council officials by holding an electric pole in the flowing flood waters. He alleged that officers were not managing the situation properly. Some media platforms even broadcasted the scenes of motorcycles and other items being washed away in the first rain of the year.

Similarly, in Savadatti town of Savadatti taluk on Monday, water entered houses and damaged the davasa grains and clothes in about 15 to 20 houses in Bennikatti, Savalabavi Oni, Girijanavara Oni, Divatagera Oni, Ramapur Site, and Singaragoppa Road on June 8. Rainwater also entered the famous Yellamma temple of Savadatti.

The report says that if the concerned officials had taken the necessary steps, a large part of the loss could have been avoided. It advised officers to take the required steps to prevent further losses.

Some officers have been directed to appear in person before the Upa Lokayukta and submit their objections along with supporting documents on July 27.

The respondent officers are the Sub-Divisional Officer, Bailahongal Sub-Division, the Tehsildar, Executive Officer, Taluk Panchayat, Municipal Commissioners, Bailahongal, Revenue Inspector, and Village administrative officer. The Belagavi Deputy Commissioner and other officers have been sent copies of the letter, said a release.