Govt has spent Rs 494 crore on drought and flood relief

Bangalore, JulY 11 (UNI) The State Government had spent over Rs 494 crore in for drought and flood relief works in the state during current year, Karnataka Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar informed to the Legislative Council here today.

Replying to a question raised by D Made Gowda of Congress during the question hour the minister said that 128 out of 175 taluks in the state had been declared as drought-hit areas.

He said that while the union government had sanctioned Rs 340.20 crore to take up relief works, the state government had released Rs 277 crore. The center had released Rs 113.98 crore under Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and the rest of the amount of Rs 226.30 crore was under National Calamity Fund (NCF), he said.

Rejuvenating of sub-soil water, repairs on small irrigation tanks, desilting of tanks and formation of check-dams and road repair works has been taken under drought relief works. The state government had spent Rs 256 crore in employment generation while another 19.50 crore for providing drinking water. For supply of fodder in distress places Rs 1.50 crore was released, he said.

UNI