Bengaluru: The state government has sought Rs 4703 crore from the Central Government under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to take up drought relief works in the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday submitted a detailed memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking the Central Government’s assistance for the drought relief works in the state. The chief minister has also appealed the Central Government to release Rs 968 crore special grant to the state.
The chief minister has explained to Union Home Minister that Karnataka has incurred a loss of Rs 17193 crore due to the severe drought. “Our government has taken up drought relief works such as supplying drinking water, fodder for cattle and employment for labourers on a war footing in the state. Our government has declared 139 taluks as drought affected and panchayat raj department has already spent Rs 204 crore in the year 2016-17 on drought relief works,’’ the chief minister said.
He said that Rs 362.25 crore required for providing additional supplementary nutrition at anganwadis for small children, nursing mothers and pregnant mothers in the drought affected 139 taluks. “We need Rs 74 crore for water supply in Bengaluru,’’ he said.
Later, the chief minister met Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh and explained about the prevailing drought situation in Karnataka. “I am also grateful and highly appreciative of the immediate action taken by the Central Government for deputing an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for assessment of the prevailing drought condition in the state. The IMCT visited 36 taluks of 16 districts and travelled more than 3000 kms. I am sure the IMCT may have given its report. However, the release of funds is awaited,’’ the chief minister said.
Thanking the Central Government for all the assistance extended to Karnataka, he said the Central Government would positively respond to his request to provide Rs 4702.54 crore financial assistance to tackle the prevailing drought situation in the state. “I have brought these facts to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter dated 3-12-2016 and have requested him to release the above amount under the National Disaster Relief Fund at the earliest. I am also seeking time of Prime Minister to apprise him about the grave situation in Karnataka. I would be leading the all-party delegation as desired by both the Houses of Karnataka legislature in this regard. Through this letter I request you to take early action in the matter and to release the Central assistance immediately in the interest of farmers,’’ he said.
