Minister visits Belagavi fire site, promises compensation to Damone family

District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi visited Chavhatagalli in Belagavi on Tuesday to console the family of four people who died when their tin shed house caught fire. He assured the relatives that the State government would release compensation and cover the cost of treatment for the injured.

During the visit, the Minister spoke to Sanjay Damone, a nephew of one of the deceased, and gathered details about the accident. Two members of the family were injured in the blaze, which broke out at night.

Mr. Jarkiholi also met the police and fire services personnel who had fought the fire. Asked whether the government would act against HESCOM authorities whose negligence is suspected to have triggered the incident, he said legal action would follow if an inquiry established their involvement.

The Minister said a meeting on the tragedy would be held at the Deputy Commissioner's office, where compensation for the loss of life, medical care for the injured and related matters would be discussed.

Speaking on longer-term measures, Mr. Jarkiholi said the government would examine ways to improve housing for urban residents. He noted that although houses and sites are distributed routinely, poor and deprived sections sometimes miss out on adequate allotment, and said the government would try to reserve a share for deserving members of the SC/ST and OBC communities.

He added that besides the Department of Housing and urban agencies, the Public Works Department would also take up distribution of houses and sites to the poor. Around 50,000 housing sites are planned for Belagavi district, with an attempt to fix a quota for deprived communities, he said.

The Minister acknowledged that people are often reluctant to move away from their old neighbourhoods when the government builds houses, and said a final decision on relocation would be taken after consulting officials.

Asif Sait, MLA, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam, Mayor Preeti Kamakar and other officials and elected representatives were present.

According to the police, a case of accidental fire has been registered based on a complaint by Sanjay Damone. Investigators now suspect that a gas-based compressor exploded after a short circuit.