The State government will request the Centre to send a team to inspect the devastation caused due by the rain and floods in the State and thereby to release relief funds.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly after several legislators especially from the Malnad region raised the issue, Home Minister M P Prakash said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who is in New Delhi will appraise the Union Home Ministry on the rain havoc in the State.

Direction
He said deputy commissioners concerned had been directed to use their discretion in releasing grants under calamity funds. The government was opening relief camps, restoring power and repairing roads on a priority basis.

Damages
Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the incharge ministers of the affected districts have been directed to assess the damage done.

Besides loss of life, people had been rendered homeless and fields have been inundated, he added.

The State has released Rs 50 crore as immediate relief and the Cabinet would meet soon to decide on further relief measures, he informed.

Pay commission
Dr Devindar Sharma, president of forum for bio-technology and food security, has demanded that the State government should set up a separate “pay commission” for farmers and agriculture labourers.