Date:21/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/21/stories/2007092154960500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress blames Government

Special Correspondent

Says funds not effectively utilised

‘Rs. 94.81 crore from Calamity Relief Fund released’
‘Union Minister should visit State’

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh has alleged that the coalition Government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, which is gripped by the power transfer issue, has neglected the woes of the people in flood affected areas of north Karnataka.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, the former Chief Minster blamed the State Government for not utilising Rs. 807.44 crore sanctioned by the Union Government for undertaking flood relief works.

“Since the Government is on its death bed, even officials are not visiting flood-hit areas,” he alleged.

Under the National Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF), the Centre had released Rs. 384.97 crore in 2004-05, Rs. 358.85 crore in 2005-06 and Rs. 63.62 crore in 2006-07. A sum of Rs. 94.81 crore had been released under the Calamity Relief Fund in this financial year, Mr. Dharam Singh said.

Mr. Dharam Singh said he had a telephonic conversation with Union Minister for Home Shivraj Patil and requested him to depute a Union Minister to assess the rain damage in Gadag, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Dharwad, Bellary and Gulbarga districts.