Rs 6,000 cr will be sought as temporary relief, says CM

Yeddyurappa will lead delegation to meet PM.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the state government would request Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release Rs 6,000 crore as temporary relief for flood relief and rehabilitation works in northern Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday after laying the foundation stone for relocating the Kongawad village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district, Yeddyurappa said the government had earlier sought an assistance of Rs 10,000 crore and was now seeking additional Rs 6,000 crore as temporary relief.

He said that an all-party delegation would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday and appraise him of the situation in the flood-affected villages. Replying to a query, the CM said: “After the aerial survey the PM is convinced of the need for immediate assistance to the flood-affected areas in Karnataka and has promised all necessary assistance. We believe his words.”

Yeddyurappa said, the PM had announced an immediate relief of Rs 1,000 crore and the state government had on its part released Rs 1,000 crore for relief works.

The CM said several philanthropic organisations, individuals, entrepreneurs had come forward to join hands with the state government in constructing houses in several flood-affected villages. “I am hopeful of getting help from various quarters for construction of houses in all the 226 flood-prone villages in the state,” he said.

He said the government would require around Rs 600-700 crore for creating adequate infrastructure in the villages to be relocated which would have all the amenities of a township. The CM said there were several problems and added that the government would solve them by taking the opposition parties into confidence.

He would be touring the affected villages again after returning from New Delhi. The decision on the winter session would be taken in the next cabinet meeting, he said.

He appealed to the farmers not to take the extreme step of committing suicide, as it was not a solution to the problem.

Regarding the relocation of Hole Mannur village, the foundation stone for which was laid almost a year ago, the CM said that the work would begin immediately.