CM meets Governor, invites him to visit flood-hit areas

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore Yeddyurappa said the government had taken all necessary measures to use the funds effectively for the flood victims.

In fact, Yeddyurappa met Governor H R Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan in the evening to convince him that the government had taken all necessary steps for relief and rehabilitation in flood-devastated areas on war footing. The meeting comes two days after the Governor had expressed his disappointment on the flood relief work.

Yeddyurappa said he explained to Bhardwaj the measures taken by the government. “I have also invited the Governor as the chief guest for the foundation laying function for construction of new layouts in flood-affected areas,” Yeddyurappa said.

Earlier in the day at the press conference, the Chief Minister said thxe Prime Minister had assured the State of giving Rs 1,000 crore. However, only Rs 500 crore had been released. In addition, the state received Rs 139.10 crore under Calamity Relief Fund (2009-10), Rs 83.83 crore under NCCF (2008-09) and Rs 116 crore under drought relief fund from the Centre.


50,000 houses

Cyan Holdings, a Netherland-based company, has come forward to build 50,000 houses for the flood victims in north Karnataka on a PPP (public private partnership) model. Managing Director of the company Bidiadhar Jairam, on Saturday, signed an MoU with the State Government in this regard.

The company has agreed to build houses each at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh. The company’s contribution is 75 per cent, while the state will bear the 25 per cent of expense besides cost of the land. Jairam, an NRI, said that his company was happy to take part in rebuilding of the flood-hit areas.



Info to Lokayukta

Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, on Saturday, met Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde and briefed him about the relief operations in the flood-hit areas .
CM Yeddyurappa had sent the Chief Secretary in the wake of a recent report by Karnataka Lokayukta on loopholes in the relief measures. Ranganath discussed the matter with the Lokayukta for more than an hour. Later speaking to presspersons, Santosh Hegde said the CS had briefed him about the relief works and also explained reasons for delay in providing relief in some areas. He  would be satisfied if the State delivered the goods effectively at the earliest.

The government had received donations from many companies, religious institutions, educational institutions in the form of cash and consent to construct houses. The total value of contributions is put at Rs 1,528 crore.