Karnataka, that had sought Rs 11,600 crore assistance from the Centre for drought relief, is still waiting for the amount it asked.
Deputy Chief Minister K S Eswarappa said here in Mysore on Tuesday that the Centre has so far released Rs 700 crore. The Centre would be asked to release more funds. A team led by the chief minister would visit Delhi for the purpose. Three Central teams have so far visited Karnataka to study the drought situation.
The state government had spent Rs 2,900 crore for relief works in the drought-affected areas. The Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister had appreciated the work done by the state in procuring fodder from other states and other relief works undertaken by the government, the deputy CM claimed.
He described the drought situation arising out of inadequate monsoon rains as one of the worst the state had seen and asked the Opposition in the state to realise the gravity of the situation and co-operate with the government in meeting the situation, instead of picking fault.
The state had waived farmers’ loans up to Rs 25,000. This would impose a financial burden of Rs 3,300 crore on the state exchequer, Eswarappa said after worshipping goddess Chamundeswari atop the Chamundi Hills.
Later, he visited Handanahalli and Dodda Beechanahalli villages in Hunsur taluk and inspected crop-loss due to the failure of rains. He also visited Chikka Beechanahalli and Yelwal villages and inspected desilting of tanks and other works undertaken under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Former Deputy Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, district incharge minister S A Ramadas, Regional Commissioner M V Jayanthi and Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad were among those who accompanied him.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is visiting Mysore tomorrow. During his day-long programmes, he will commission water supply to Yelwal and 52 other villages and also distribute sites allotted by the Mysore Urban Development Authority to successful applicants.
