HDK-led delegation meets Modi, seeks Rs 1,199 crore aid

A high-level delegation from Karnataka led by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and sought Rs 1,199 crore financial assistance to take up relief programme in flood-hit areas of the state.

The delegation also sought funds to take up relief works in drought-affected areas in some parts of north Karnataka.

No BJP leader from the state accompanied the delegation.

Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said the state suffered a loss of Rs 3,705 crore due to the floods and sought Rs 1,199 crore to take up relief works in affected areas, including Kodagu, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

The funds sought to take up relief works includes building houses, roads, bridges, removing silt from agriculture lands and providing water supply to rural areas, Kumaraswamy said.

The delegation also urged the Centre to send two teams to assess the loss caused due to crop failure on account of both floods and drought.

As per the central government norms, a total of 86 taluks are facing a drought-like situation due to a dry spell and loss of moisture, the chief minister said.

The prime minister promised to send an expert committee to assess the damage due to drought, Kumaraswamy said.

During the meeting, the leaders from the state requested the prime minister to convene a meeting between the state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to discuss issues concerning the Mekedatu Reservoir Project.

The project would not harm Tamil Nadu's interests, and in fact, it would be beneficial to them, Kumaraswamy said.

The chief minister added that the prime minister has been apprised of the fact that Mekedatu project would not violate the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water dispute.

BJP leaders absent

"An intimation was sent to the Opposition party leaders in the Assembly and the Council, and MPs from Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, requesting them to accompany the delegation. But none of them attended," Kumaraswamy said.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, Revenue Minister R V Deshpande and several others were part of the delegation.