State Government draws flak on drought and flood relief works

Bangalore, July 18 (UNI) The state governemnt was put on mat over the issue of implementation of the Drought relief works in the state as the opposition members in the Karnataka Legislative Council charged that the funds released was grossly misused and failed to achieve the purpose.

Replying to Bharatiya Janata Party Member Shashil Namoshi, during the question hour the Karnataka Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar, told in the house that state has released Rs 277 crore to as many as 28 drought-hit taluks.

While denying the charge that funds meant for drought relief works was being misused, the minister said that a Task Force committee chaired by concerned legislators select the works and money would released depending on the progress of work.

The remark by Mr Shettar sparked the heated arguments and opposition members charged that the Committee was not consulting the concerned Members of Legislative Council in selection and release of funds.

The Janata Dal(U) member Dr M Nadagouda charged that the entire money released by the state government to tackle drought was being grossly misusing and there is no any regulatory or monitory mechanism to check it.

Congress member Basavaraj Patil Humnabad said that in Humnabad the officials stand in queue at the residence of the legislator and get assent for the drought relief works. "So far he were not consulted in the selection of works by Tahsildar or any other concerned authorities" he said.

BJP member Mr Shashil Namoshi, speaking on the issue has said that Gulbarga district was sanctioned Rs 20 crore for drought relief but funds were not being properly spent to provide employment and generate public assets. He also demanded the state government to 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 taken by the officials in spending the drought relief funds.

UNI