CM ready to table report on flood relief

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said he would place a report in the coming legislature session on the quantum of funds collected for flood relief and spent by the government.

“I will table the report on the opening day of the session itself which starts on June 28,” he told reporters here when his reaction was sought over allegations of misuse of funds by Congress. Yeddyurappa said the House will be briefed on the extent of donations it mobilised and expenditure incurred on providing relief to the flood-hit in parts of the state.

He asked Congress to opt for a similar exercise in providing details over funds it mobilised for flood relief. Karnataka unit of Congress had constituted an enquiry committee to look into allegations of misuse of funds collected from donors to help last year’s flood victims.

Yeddyurappa reviewed the progress of construction of houses for those who lost their dwellings in the rain fury last year, which the government has taken up under “Aasare” programme. He said there was delay in completing construction and handing over houses to those displaced.

On whether BJP will support liquor baron Vijay Mallya, contesting the Rajya Sabha election as JD(S) supported independent, Yeddyurappa said “these issues will be addressed by our party high command. We will abide by whatever our high command decides”.

BJP has 116 in the 224-member assembly and would have at least 30 surplus votes after ensuring victory of its two candidates — M Venkaiah Naidu and Ayanur Manjunath.

The Congress has fielded two nominees — Oscar Fernandes and T V Maruthi — but can win only one seat with its tally of 74 MLAs. Each winning candidate requires 45 first preference votes to get elected in the first round. Mallya, who is seeking a second term as Rajya Sabha member, is assured of 27 votes of JD(S) and also that of an independent.