MANGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramiah on Thursday expressed displeasure over the release of 'insufficient' funds by the Centre towards drought relief in the state.
He was speaking to reporters at Mangaluru International Airport during his brief visit to the city on Thursday to take part in the wedding celebrations of NRI businessman B R Shetty's son.
The CM said the funds sanctioned by the central government towards drought relief was meagre. "We have requested the central government for Rs 4,702 crore as per the norms of National Disaster Relief Fund. However, the Centre has sanctioned only Rs 1,782.44crore. The amount sanctioned by the Centre is less than 50% of the amount we requested. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not responded to the demands of the state, in spite of an all-party delegation meeting him in New Delhi. We had insisted the Prime minster to sanction the full amount we sought," Siddaramaiah lamented.
Talking about the loss incurred to the state, he said, about 139 taluks are affected due to drought.
"As many as 35 lakhs farmers are facing difficulty due to drought. The state has suffered crop loss to the tune of Rs 17,000 to Rs 18,000 crore. We have sought relief as per the norms of the NDRF, but we did not receive it. Since, we have not received sufficient funds, we will make request again for more grants," he added.
To a query, he said, the state government has sought as per NDRF norms and the Centre will not release funds based on the actual crop loss estimate.
"We will meet the PM again and request again," he added.
Home minister Rajnath Singh who chaired a high-level committee and approved central assistance of Rs 1782.44 crore for drought-hit Karnataka under the NDRF.
On a request made by DSP M K Ganapathi's father for a CBI inquiry, the CM said, "The court has directed a CID inquiry and they have conducted an inquiry. They have submitted a report saying there is no truth in the complaint. There ends the matter."
On the suicide of four members of a family, including two endosulfan victims in Belthangady taluk, the CM said, "We have been distributing compensation to endosulfan victims. It is unfortunate that they have committed suicide. We have been distributing stipend to them. They should not have taken the extreme step."
Congress leaders Mallikharjun Kharge, home minister G Parameshwara, minister for Bengaluru development and town planning KJ George, minister for higher education and tourism RV Deshpande, forest minister Ramanath Rai, fisheries minister Pramod Madhwaraj, MLAs Abhayachandra, JR Lobo attended BR Shetty's son's wedding among others.