Centre should send funds: Parameshwara on K'taka floods

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government should allocate adequate financial aid for relief efforts in the state's Kodagu district.

While expressing his gratitude towards the Centre for dispatching the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for relief operations, the Congress leader said, "The Prime Minister has announced Rs 500 crore for Kerala. We expected at least Rs 100 crores to restructure Kodagu. We will request the central government for it."

"The Prime Minister should have come to Kodagu and at least conducted an aerial survey. We asked for the Army and the NDRF, which they sent, but they haven't sent any money. We will ask for it. It's our right," he added.

Parameshwara also stated that the official death count from the floods in the district stood at 7 with 4 others missing, adding that there may be a few more deaths.

Parameshwara further stated, "We have sent 150 toilets through the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), while the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has sent heavy machinery to pump out the waters."

He also mentioned that Rs 3 crore had been contributed by the BBMP towards relief efforts, while Rs 1 crore each was given by the BWSSB and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

"We have requested the Police and the Fire department to donate a day's salary, which is around 6 crore. We will rebuild the houses of those who lost theirs. We will also try to build 5000 prefabricated houses in one month. We will do this on priority," Parameshewara said.

While saying that most people didn't have documents, including Aadhar and other documents to verify their identity, Parameshwara said that the authorities were verifying their identities with the local residents and they were also keen to identify the Bangladesh nationals.