K'taka CM urges centre to release relief funds

Bangalore, Aug 15: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy today urged the Centre to adopt a scientific approach for sanctioning its funds to the states for taking up developmental projects and particularly to meet the emergency situations.

"The Centre has so far not responded favorably to the long-pendig demand of states," Mr Kumarswamy said in his Independance Day address here today.

Stating that Karnataka's role in the contributions to the Central funds is very significant, he said that the Centre should bring a scientific approach in fixing the share of the states and if it is implemented all the problems of the states would be solved.

Referring to the flood situation in north Karnataka, he said that long waiting for the Central relief funds in times of emergencies like the floods is not justified.

"I have personally visited the flood-hit areas of the five districts and listened to the woes of the people," he said.

The Centre should voluntirily send its study teames in times of emergencies like natural calamities to take stock of the situations and release funds on humanitarian grounds without delay, he said.

The Chief Minister said the state government has already met the Prime Minister in this regard to release the funds to fight the flood situation caused by the release of excess water from the dams of the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

The state government has already taken action to set up rehabilitation centres on warfooting in flood-hit areas, he said.

He said the state in addition to the floods is also facing the drought situation in 156 taluks this year.

UNI

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