Congress urges state government to speed up drought relief works

Bangalore, Apr 28 (UNI) Opposition leader in Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh today warned the State government that it may have to face public wrath if it fails to take up drought relief works immediately.

Stating that 128 Taluks in the State facing severe drought situation and people are facing acute drinking water shortage, Mr Singh alleged that the Government had assured during the Budget Session to release Rs One Crore to each Taluk but has released only Rs 50 Crore for entire State.

Alleging that the State Government has totally failed to tackle the drought situation, Mr Singh said that though Rs 31 Crore subsidy was sanctioned the amount was released after two months that too only for supply of drinking water in the affected taluks.

He said that in Humnabad in Bidar District people recently launched agitation against supply of drinking water once in three days. Such agitation may be witnessed in other places also.

In Mysore, Senior Congress leader and former Minister H Vishwanath talking to newsmen alleged that the government has failed to come to the rescue of the people suffering from drought situation due failure of pre-monsoon rain.

Strongly condemning 'Village Stay' by Mysore District incharge Minister G T Dave Gowda, Mr Vishwanath alleged that it was done only to receive applications for various programs and not aimed at solving problems faced by the people due to drought situation.

He said that the 'Village Stay' program are welcome, but it should not be a gimmick and Mr Gowda's act sends message of early election to the State Assembly.

UNI