Karnataka to seek Rs 5,000 crore compensation for flood hit

Bangalore, Sep 22 (UNI) The Karnataka Government today decided to seek Rs 5,000 crore as compensation from the Centre following recent rain fury in North Karnataka, which claimed more than 25 lives, besides causing damages to standing crops, public and private properties.

The Chief Secretary Mahishi held a high level meeting in view of the arrival of the Central team led by Union Minister of State for Home Radhika Selvi and officials for making an aerial survey in the affected villages tomorrow.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil would chair a meeting to be held in the evening at 'Krishna' the official residence of the Chief Minister in the evening after the team returns from the aerial survey.

Talking to newspersons here, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the demand for Rs 5,000 compensation would be put forth at the meeting tomorrow.

Alleging that the Union Government was showing step motherly treatment towards Karnataka in release of funds for taking up relief works, Mr Kumaraswamy said despite the State Government leading an all party delegation and appealing several times the Centre had failed to release needed funds.

Official sources said standing crops estimated at Rs 500 crore were lost due to rain furry and more than 45,000 houses were either fully damaged or partially damaged. In many districts heavy damage of public property was reported .

The team which arrives tonight would leave for aerial survey in the morning to Gadag, Koppal, Bagalkote and Dharwad districts before returning to the State capital in the evening.

UNI