Centre to release funds for Kodagu: MP

Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi has stated that the Centre will respond positively to the demand of the State Government which has decided to seek a fund of Rs 2,000 crore to take up relief works in rain and land-slide ravaged Kodagu district.

Speaking to media persons in Dharwad on Saturday, he stated that the State has to send a detailed report regarding the damage caused in Kodagu, and seek funds under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). Based on this report, the Centre sends an officials team to inspect, and later releases the funds, he added.

In the last three years, he said, the NDA government at the Centre has given Rs 5,500 crore under NDRF to the State and hence, there is no question of Centre not granting funds for relief works.
Joshi said, he is ready to accompany Chief Minister Kumaraswamy in meeting Central ministers on fund release for calamity works.

He further said, during the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Seetaram to Kodagu, the deputy commissioner and the Kodagu district in-charge minister have given two different reports due to lack of co-ordination between them. However, both the reports have been collected and Nirmala Seetaram has held discussions with higher officials, and would respond positively to the demand, he said.

The BJP too has collected donations from the general public for the Kodagu relief works, and this money would be handed over to the State government in next two days, he added.