Govt not efficient in giving relief to rain-hit areas: Shettar

Former Chief Minister and Opposition BJP Leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar today accused the Karnataka government of inefficiency and lethargy in providing relief to those affected by heavy rains in parts of the state.

"Government is not showing efficiency in making relief available to those affected due to heavy rains;..Chief Minister is showing lethargy. He has gone to affected areas after opposition took up the issue," Shettar told reporters.

He said "he (Chief Minister) should have gone by himself, irrespective of us demanding it or not, that is his duty." "He and government have shown complete negligence on the issue.....," the BJP leader added.

Shettar, who toured the affected areas, said residents continued to remain in damaged houses risking their lives, because no alternate arrangements had been made.

Asked if BJP would seek help from the central government in getting further financial help for relief work, he said "we will submit a report on the basis of our visit to the affected areas to the state government;...state government should first utilise funds available, make claims for extra funds if required. It should go through proper channels and we shall support them."

On the de-notification issue, Shettar said a committee had been constituted by the party to study the issue. It would submit its report shortly and "...we will decide on how to fight this both legally and politically."

BJP has alleged corruption pertaining to de-notification of 541 acres in Arkavati Layout of the Bangalore Development Authority by the Chief Minister, who has ordered a probe by a judicial commission.

Asked whether he would cooperate with the judicial probe ordered by the Chief Minister, Shettar said "we are insisting on the CBI probe. We are still collecting all information in this regard through the committee constituted by the party. Party will decide on how to proceed on it."