Cong stages walkout accusing Government failure to combat drought

Bangalore, Mar 21 (UNI) The main opposition Congress today staged a walkout in the Karnataka Legislative Council charging the state government with totally failing to combat the drought situation.

Opposition leader H K Patil, participating in a discussion on the prevailing drought conditions on the question raised by Mr Basavaraj Bommai (JD-U), alleged that government has totally failed in taking up drought relief works as promised.

Mr Patil said though over 128 taluks were reeling under severe drought, the state government has failed to open cow-sheds, made no arrangements to supply fodder to cattle and released in sufficient funds for taking up relief works to prevent exodus from the state.

Mr Bommai alleged that there was no visible initiative by the state government to tackle the situation and the drinking water problem in drought affected villages has gone to worst.

Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar, in his reply, said that the state government has released over Rs 494 crores for relief works in the affected Taluks. Besides Rs 1200 Crore financial assistance, 5,74,000 metric tonnes of food grains was sought from the Centre.

However, the Union government has released only Rs 340 crore, including Rs 226 crores under National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) and Rs 114 crores under Calamity Relief Fund.

The state government has also released over Rs 154 crores from its funds for relief works. Over 51614 drought relief works of which over 13416 works has been completed and rest were in progress.

Not satisfied with the Minister's reply Congress members led by Mr Patil staged a walk out drawing severe criticism by the Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr Yediyurappa, charging that the Congress instead of joining hands with the state government to face the drought situation and strive hard to bring more funds form the Centre, was indulging in gaining cheap publicity. He alleged that the Centre was showing step-motherly treatment towards Karnataka in releasing the funds for drought and flood relief works.

Earlier in the day, the Congress members staged dharna protesting against the State government's failure to take initiative to hold election to fill the Council Chairman post despite Governor's direction. However, dharna was withdrawn following an assurance by Mr Yediyurappa that the Cabinet, which is meeting tomorrow, would take a positive decision on the issue.

UNI