Chhattisgarh government sends flood relief to Karnataka

Chhattisgarh's Diwali gesture: Rice worth more than Rs 4.5 crore for the people of flood-ravaged Karnataka.

The state government on Thursday sent 24,206 quintals of rice worth Rs 4.45 crore for the flood-affected people of Karnataka. The stock despatch from here is likely to reach the destination soon.

"On the occasion of Diwali, it is a small gift from the people of Chhattisgarh with compassion and solidarity," Chief Minister Raman Singh said while flagging off the rack of 42 wagons from the local station.

During the time of crises when the state has been hit with nature's fury, it is our duty to help out the affected people, Singh said, adding that Chhattisgarh was the first State to rush so much aid to Karnataka.

Sources in the state government said that the racks would be off-loaded in Bagalkot railway station. The rice stock would be handed over to Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation for distributing among the affected people.

The railway had bestowed special relaxation of Rs 29.78 lakh on transportation of rice. On the request of Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Singh asked the officials to make the necessary arrangement for sending rice to Karnataka.

Within a short notice of three days, the food and civil supplies department of Chhattisgarh arranged 24,206 quintals of rice. The state officials contacted the railway authorities and asked for special relaxation. The railway officials were quick to arrange the rack and the relaxation.