Drought: CM to take all-party delegation to prime minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the Centre had not extended a helping hand by releasing drought relief fund as sought by the state. Replying to the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Siddaramaiah said the state had suffered an estimated loss of Rs 17,193 crore during the kharif season last year and Rs 3,375 crore during the rabi season.

The state had submitted two memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a one-to-one discussion he had with the chief ministers of various states. The prime minister who heard the concerns raised over the drought situation and problems of the farmers, did not release even a rupee, Siddaramaiah said.

The state had also suffered losses to the tune of Rs 383 crore due to floods and demanded an input subsidy of Rs 4702.24 crore under the NDRF norms from the Union government.

The Centre provided Rs 1,540 crore which has been disbursed to the farmers. Siddaramaiah promised the House that an all-party delegation will be taken to the prime minister to explain to him the drought situation in the state.

Govt criticised
Leader of the Opposition K S Eshwarappa criticised the state government for not taking up relief works despite farmers facing drinking water and fodder shortage. He said he was yet to visit the PMO and was awaiting the Central team that studied the drought situation in the state to submit its report to the Centre.