K'taka seeks Rs 1,118 crore relief fund for flood-hit districts

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought Rs 1,118.40 crore financial assistance for the flood-hit districts of Karnataka.

Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and Revenue Minister R V Despande, Cooperative Minister Bandeppa Kashempur and senior state government officers were present in the meeting.

In the meeting, the chief minister requested the Home Minister to release funds from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the state has witnessed huge damage in seven districts including Kodagu and Hassan due to floods and landslides.

"About Rs 3,435.80 crore losses have been estimated. We have sought from the Government of India about Rs 1,118.40 crore relief," Kumaraswamy told reporters after the meeting.

The Home Minister has assured early release of funds under the NDRF and would send a central team soon to assess the extent of damage, he added.

Kumaraswamy said that this is in an interim proposal and a detailed one will be submitted later after the survey is completed fully.

Heavy rains had lashed out during July 6-20 in Malnad and coastal districts and during August 6-20 in Kodagu and parts of Dakshina districts, triggering flash floods and landslides.

From the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Karnataka government said in the proposal that it has already released Rs 30 crore to Kodagu and Rs 19 crore to Malnad and coastal districts for relief and rescue operations.

Another Rs 200 crore has been released to seven districts for infrastructure demage repair, he said.

While floods have hit some parts of Karnataka, north eastern districts like Gadag and Raichur are facing drought-like situation, for which a separate memorandum will be submitted to the centre, he added.

The chief minister also shared that he has written a separate letter to the Union Finance Minister seeking higher allocation to Karnataka under the SDRF.

The 14th finance commission has allocated Rs 1,530 crore for five-year period, while Rs 8,500 crore for Maharasthra and Rs 6,000 crore for Rajasthan, he noted.

The 15th finance commission has been constituted and the Karnataka government has requested the centre to consider allocating higher funds to the state, he added.