Two Central teams arrive in K'taka to study drought condition

Bangalore, Nov 9 (UNI) Stating that the number of drought-hit taluks in Karnataka have gone up to 130 due to deficient rainfall this season, Revenue Minister Jagdish Shettar said two Central study teams today arrived here to take stock of the severe drought situation.

Talking to reporters here, he said another Central team would arrive tomorrow to study the situation. The three teams would visit the districts of Kolar, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Bidar, Raichur, Haveri, Gadag, Bagalkot, Belgaum and Gulbarga, he added.

The Minister said the State Government had submitted a memorandum to the Centre, urging it to release Rs 1,200 crore, besides nine lakh tonnes of foodgrains to take up relief works in the drought-hit taluks. The Centre had sanctioned only Rs 250 crore for the purpose so far.

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