Compensation to be paid to the next of kin of a person killed by a wild elephant has been increased to Rs. 2 lakhs.
Announcing this in the Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said an order regarding this would be issued soon. At present, the compensation amount is Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Appachu Ranjan, he said 22 people were killed in the State while 78 persons injured and three persons suffered permanent disability in 2009-10 due to attack by wild elephants.
Yeddyurappa said the Forest Department has registered 14,303 cases of crop loss due to wild animals and a compensation of Rs. 3.10 crores was paid to farmers in the State. Also 469 cases of cattle loss was reported in the State and a total compensation of Rs. 11.37 lakhs was paid.