Release of Rs.350 crores sought

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JULY 19. The State Government has submitted a memorandum to the Union Government seeking immediate release of Rs.350 crores for taking up relief operations in the drought- affected districts.

In the memorandum, copies of which were placed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Government said that Rs.736.09 crores was required to tackle drought in the State. The immediate requirement was Rs.350 crores. The balance could be released by the Centre as second instalment after the formalities were completed. It said that the State had so far (from April 1 this year) released Rs.35.35 crores from the State Budget.

``However, this is to impress upon the Union Government that fund constraints stand as a great stumbling block in taking up full- scale relief work,'' the memorandum said.

According to the memorandum, the corpus of the State Calamity Relief Fund is Rs.78.30 crores this fiscal (2001-2002). Amount towards the first instalment of Central contribution has not yet been released from the Union Government. This was due on May 1. ``In view of this, the State Government requests the Centre to come to its assistance in the hour of need.''

The memorandum said that the State Government appreciated the difficulties of the Centre in the wake of the Gujarat calamity, but its (State Government) obligations to the drought affected population in Karnataka enjoined upon it approaching the Centre for financial aid.

This year's effects of the climate had resulted in loss of a huge order. The agricultural loss was being quantified in financial terms, it added.

Regarding the steps taken up by the State so far, the memorandum said that the Government had, from time to time, given directions and guidance to the field administrative machinery for prompt, speedy and effective delivery.

The Government had also taken up relief works on a war footing and the deputy commissioners had been instructed to pay attention to the problem. Yet the enormity of the requirement of funds to compensate for the losses experienced due to drought had put limitations on it.

The 86-page memorandum said that though the South West Monsoon entered the State during the first week of June this year, its activity had weakened, particularly in the north and south interior parts.

As on July 8, the cumulative rainfall was deficit in 18 districts out of the 27. Of the 175 taluks in the State, the rainfall was deficit in 127 taluks.

It said that besides agricultural produce that was affected, there was an acute shortage of drinking water in a large number of villages. Additional borewells had to be dug and handpumps installed immediately, besides taking up mini water supply schemes in several areas. The amount required for this was Rs.91.69 crores.

Faulty, says Opposition

The Opposition, however, criticised the Government alleging that the memorandum was faulty and not comprehensive enough.

Several members felt that the memorandum did not reflect the ground reality and the statistics mentioned in it were inaccurate and that it bore the stamp of a compilation in haste.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Jagdish Shettar, said that the Government had not taken proper care to highlight the situation in several districts.

Others who alleged that the memorandum did not give the correct picture about the drought situation include Mr. C.Byre Gowda, Mr. P.G.R.Sindhia, Mr. B.Somashekar, Mr. S.S.Patil (Janata Dal-U).

Funds release

The Minister for Revenue, Mr. H.C.Srikantaiah, said that Rs.20 crores would be released soon to tackle drinking water problem in the State.

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Section  : Southern States
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