Oppn leader in K'taka Council threatens to launch agitation

Bangalore, Sep 13 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, H K Patil, today threatened to launch an agitation in the drought-affected districts if the government failed to implement relief measures within ten days.

Mr Patil, who extensively toured the drought-hit taluks of Gadag, Koppal and Bagalkot districts, told newspersons here that the Government had not spent any money on providing relief to the victims. Even Central fund of Rs 132 crore meant for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had not been spent properly, with the Government spending just Rs 30.57 crore, he noted.

He regretted that instead of initiating relief measures on a war footing, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was busy getting publicity for trivial issues. More than 20 farmers had committed suicide in various districts from June ten and many more incidents were not reported in the Government records. It was unfortunate that the Government had failed to meet the aspirations of the people, he rued.

UNI SR GD SP BS1621