Seeks Rs 2,200 crore from Centre

The State government has submitted a proposal to the Centre to release Rs 2,200 crore fund for drought management. But the Centre has not released any amount till date, said the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

During his visit to Ammerahalli tank on Thursday, he said if the Centre releases the amount without any partiality, relief works will be started immediately in all the drought-hit districts of the State.

Taking the members of opposition parties to task, he said “They should be responsible while speaking about measures taken by the State government to tackle drought situation. They cannot dictate who should be in the government and who should be ousted,” he said.

‘Delegation to Centre’

“If concerned, they should have asked the Centre to release grants. Why differentiate between ruling and opposition party? Even if there is difference let it come out during elections but at least not during drought situation. Soon a delegation will be taken to the Centre,” he added.

“I have already toured seven drought-hit districts. I find that the decisions of the State government in relation to handling the situation coincides with what would have been my decision. The present Chief Minister has extended support to these areas in need. It is working towards drought management, sinking borewells, supplying water through tankers and more. So, the high command should not allow these works to be stalled,” he added.

Answering a question on government’s hindrance to implement Paramashivaiah report, Yeddyurappa promised to speak on this matter to the government and did not wish to comment on the matter.

BSY can’t take criticism of govt

Yeddyurappa lost his cool when women in Doddahasala ridiculed the State government for doing nothing for the drought-hit areas. “Please, don’t say that. The government has done a lot of good to the people,” he told them.

When he tried to learn their problems, the complaints poured in. When a woman criticised the government for withdrawing the Bhagyalakshmi Bonds, an angry Yeddyurappa said re-survey is on to distribute the Bonds. “All eligible beneficiaries will get the bonds,” he said.