Kumaraswamy to lead Karnataka delegation to seek flood relief

Bangalore, July 2 (UNI) An all party delegation led by Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar within a fortnight to press for release of funds from calamity relief fund to take up relief in rain battered districts of the state.

Speaking to newsmen after the cabinet sub committee meeting on floods and drought situation here, Home Minister M P Prakash, who headed the committee, said the state had estimated a loss of Rs 157 crores due to damages in the recent heavy rain and floods.

The centre was yet to release funds from National Calamity and Contingency Fund for the year, he pointed out.

The committee also felt the need to take a delegation to prevail upon the centre in this regard.

Replying to queries he said officials were directed to prepare an action plan to implement relief works in the affected districts.

Nearly 72.42 per cent of works had already been completed, he added saying that 5100 tons of foodgrains was released in the districts of Bagalkot, Bijapur and Dharwad as on June 8 last.

He said the state today received an order from the centre on revision of guidelines to increase compensation to rain and flood affected families. He thanked the centre for accepting the state government's suggestion in this regard. Accordingly, ex-gratia would be hiked from Rs 50000 to Rs one lakh in case of deaths, collapse of pucca houses from Rs 10000 to Rs 25000 and kutcha houses from Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000. In case of those who lost limbs and other parts of body the compensation would be Rs 35000, he added.

He said the state government would register its protest with the Maharashtra government at a meeing on July 10 for releasing huge quantum of water into Krishna and Bhima rivers without prior intimation causing flood situation the state. The state would seek compensation towards damage caused to agriculture crops due to floods, he hinted.

The state would also pay Rs 8.36 crores to Maharashtra towards providing drinking water in some parts of the state located in the Koyna region, he said.

UNI