Bengaluru, Jan 8: The second instalment of flood relief funds from the Centre, announced on Monday, has left BS Yediyurappa less than cheerful, with the chief minister insisting that it is barely adequate. The CM on Tuesday said he will urge the Union government to release more.
On Monday, the Centre announced it will release Rs 669.8 crore in addition to the Rs 1,200 crore it had released earlier towards flood relief and rehabilitation. The total sum is a small fraction of the loss, which the government pegged at a staggering Rs 38,000 crore.
“The Centre has released assistance in two instalments so far, but it is inadequate given the magnitude of the damage. I will request for more funds and I am confident the Centre will oblige,” Yediyurappa told reporters.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the state last week, Yediyurappa had urged him — even openly at a function — to release funds. This followed several pleas over the past four months, which barely drew a response from the Centre. Now, the CM himself suggests it’s barely a drop in the ocean.
The opposition has been criticizing both Yediyurappa and the Centre for their handling of the situation and on Tuesday, leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah of the Congress criticised the CM for “misguiding people” on the sum released by the Centre.
Siddaramaiah tweeted, “Reports from State govt officials say only Rs 669 cr of addl funds are released in 2nd instalment as opposed to the claim of Rs 1,870 cr by Karnataka BJP leaders. At a time when manufacturing industries are closing, BJP’s fake news factory is running at full potential ".
In another tweet, he said, “Moved by the plea of chief minister, Yediyurappa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released an additional Rs 669.8 crore, taking the total amount to Rs 1,869.8 crore. BJP leaders, who are devotees of the god of lies, attempts to depict the total relief amount as 1200+1869.85 = Rs 3,069 cr is ridiculous.”
A high-level committee chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah had sanctioned the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) funds on Monday. While the Press Information Bureau claimed Rs 1,869 crore was approved on Monday, state government officials clarified that the figure included the Rs 1,200 crore released in October.
Meanwhile, sources say the two instalments is all the assistance the state can expect from the Centre towards flood relief. Sources say the Rs 1,870 crore is roughly 60% of the funding — Rs 3,000 cr— which was supposed to be allocated for Karnataka, based on an inter-ministerial team’s assessment of losses in the state.
“Compared to other states for the same period, Karnataka has received the highest amount in flood relief. We cannot expect more,” said a revenue department official, who said the government will not approach the Centre for a special package.
However, revenue minister R Ashoka said the state will pitch for the entire Rs 3,000 crore. “The state government will pursue the matter with the Centre until it releases the entire Rs 3,000 crore. The state government will cover the remainder of the Rs 38,000 crore loss. We will not go back on our word,” Ashoka said. Incidentally, the state has spent about Rs 6,000 crore on relief and rehabilitation so far.
The comment posted from the Facebook account of Shankar Prasad read:?“Sattavarella Christaralla, Namagenu Bidi” (All those who died are Christians, why should we bother?).
Comments
now innocent children are also not spared by hindutva
These kids are like clan flowers not seen the world. Very innocent.
How a person can have hatred OR enmity with such innocent kids.
This guy does not represent all Hindus, this is his own corrupt ideology. However his fellow Hindus have responsibility to correct him, to change him by hook OR Crook. One guy spoils the name of entire community is not acceptable in the civil society.
We are with the saddened parents and friends of these kids.
Uneducated goons and their leaders.....expected......when this guy dies please notify in media so the whole world can comment....Sattadu ondu naai alla ....municipality garbagige haaki....
shame on him no matter what he is or which religion he belongs to, he is not worthy of being human.. if he has no mercy for humanity.. put those aside, we have more people from different community who prayed for all those blessed souls.. today i attended juma in one of masjid.. and there was dua after prayer including these children's n all those who passed away in such tragedy. #beahumanfirst #humanityismypriority
RSS and Bajrangi has become more dangerous for human. They started to think like animals.
After worshiping stone for many years their heart has became stones permanently.
WHAT one can expect from this inhumans, cruel communal minds,even animals have mercy to each others and they express it some forms, but these so called chad.....is are now proved to be worse than that.. may the almighty creator protect the people of our nation from such ANTI HUMANS..
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