Govt draws flak on drought, flood relief works

Bangalore, July 18 (UNI) The Karnataka government was put on the mat by the Opposition in the Legislative Council, who charged the government with grossly misusing the funds released for the implementation of drought relief works in the state.

Replying to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Shashil Namoshi, during Question Hour, state Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar said the government had released Rs 277 crore to about 28 drought-hit taluks.

While denying the charge that funds meant for drought relief works were misused, the Minister said a Task Force Committee, chaired by the legislators concerned, selected the works and the funds would be released depending on the progress of work.

To this, the opposition members charged the Committee with not consulting the Legislators concerned while selecting the works and releasing the funds.

Janata Dal(U) member M Nadagouda alleged that the entire money released by the state government to tackle drought was being grossly misused and there was no regulatory mechanism to check it.

Congress member Basavaraj Patil Humnabad said in Humnabad, the officials stand in queue at the legislator's residence and get the assent for the drought relief works.

''So far I was not consulted while selecting works by either the Tahsildar or any other authorities concerned'', he said.

Mr Namoshi said Gulbarga district was sanctioned Rs 20 crore for drought relief, but funds were not being properly spent.

He demanded that the state government take punitive action against the culprits.

Mr V S Ugrappa, Mr S M Anand, Mr Arshad Ali, Mr Siddu Nyamagouda (all Cong), Mr Basavaraj Bommai (JD-U), Mr Marithibbe Gowda, Mr Y Narayana Swamy (both Ind) also complained that their views were not considered by the officials.

UNI