BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa was confident the Union government would decide on the quantum of flood relief for the state in the next couple of days, following a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Sunday.
Yediyurappa’s BJP government has been ridiculed by opposition Congress and JD(S) for its inability to secure funds for relief and rehabilitation for flood victims from the Union government. Victims too appear disappointed with farmers heckling industries minister Jagadish Shettar over what they called “inadequate measures” during a flood review meeting in Belagavi last week.
Yediyurappa, who was accompanied by deputy chief ministers CN Ashwath Narayan Laxman and Savadi besides state home minister Basavaraj Bommai, said he gave Shah details of the grim situation in flood-affected regions of the state during the 30-minute meeting.
“He gave us a patient hearing as we apprised him about the impact of floods in state,” Yediyurappa said. “He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss matters related to floods in the country. I am hoping they will arrive at a consensus [on the extent of damage and quantum of relief] in the next two days.”
Questioned about the delay in securing funds and suggestions that the Centre had deliberately ignored Karnataka’s plight, Yediyurappa defended the Union government saying: “If other states were given relief and if we were denied [it], then this question is relevant. However, including Maharashtra, which is going to polls next month, no other state has been given relief. There is no truth to such accusations.”
He said the Centre had sought certain clarifications on the government’s assessment of damage and these details had been submitted two days ago.
Asked whether political developments, including the pressure on BJP to hand out tickets to disqualified MLAs in next month’s byelections, were discussed, Yediyurappa insisted the meeting was apolitical and there was no discussion on the bypolls.
However, former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said Yediyurappa’s trip to Delhi was merely a “political drama” under the garb of seeking the Centre’s assistance for flood victims.
“Under the garb of seeking help for the flood victims, Yediyurappa went to Delhi seeking assistance for political victims of Operation Kamala [buying opposition MLAs],” Kumaraswamy said. “BSY has gone to Delhi seeking the influence of Amit Shah to try and save the disqualified legislators who have been victims of the undemocratic Operation Kamala.”
On the controversial issue of Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya suggesting Karnataka does not “need” to go to the Centre for assistance, Yediyurappa said: “He should not be speaking like this. I will speak to him.”
KSCA donates Rs 10 lakh for flood relief
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Sunday donated Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for rehabilitation of flood victims in the state.
In an impromptu event ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa, KSCA office-bearers, including president Sanjay M Desai and secretary Sudhakar Rao R, handed over the cheque to chief minister BS Yediyurappa. Team India captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri were also present.
Thanking KSCA for the gesture, the chief minister said people from all walks of life should join hands to rebuild lives of flood victims and called for a joint effort to make their lives better.
“My heartfelt thanks to KSCA for its donation to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Yediyurappa said. “As we are aware, Karnataka has suffered severe losses due to floods. As many as 103 taluks in 22 districts are flood-affected. Lakhs of people were displaced and more than 2.4 lakhs houses were damaged. I appeal to all to show solidarity with the flood victims. Please donate generously to the CM’s Relief Fund and join hands to rebuild their lives. Together let us work to make their lives better.”
PayTM, Board of Control for Cricket in India sponsors, also contributed Rs 70 lakh to the relief fund on the occasion.
Yediyurappa’s BJP government has been ridiculed by opposition Congress and JD(S) for its inability to secure funds for relief and rehabilitation for flood victims from the Union government. Victims too appear disappointed with farmers heckling industries minister Jagadish Shettar over what they called “inadequate measures” during a flood review meeting in Belagavi last week.
Yediyurappa, who was accompanied by deputy chief ministers CN Ashwath Narayan Laxman and Savadi besides state home minister Basavaraj Bommai, said he gave Shah details of the grim situation in flood-affected regions of the state during the 30-minute meeting.
“He gave us a patient hearing as we apprised him about the impact of floods in state,” Yediyurappa said. “He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss matters related to floods in the country. I am hoping they will arrive at a consensus [on the extent of damage and quantum of relief] in the next two days.”
Questioned about the delay in securing funds and suggestions that the Centre had deliberately ignored Karnataka’s plight, Yediyurappa defended the Union government saying: “If other states were given relief and if we were denied [it], then this question is relevant. However, including Maharashtra, which is going to polls next month, no other state has been given relief. There is no truth to such accusations.”
He said the Centre had sought certain clarifications on the government’s assessment of damage and these details had been submitted two days ago.
Asked whether political developments, including the pressure on BJP to hand out tickets to disqualified MLAs in next month’s byelections, were discussed, Yediyurappa insisted the meeting was apolitical and there was no discussion on the bypolls.
However, former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said Yediyurappa’s trip to Delhi was merely a “political drama” under the garb of seeking the Centre’s assistance for flood victims.
“Under the garb of seeking help for the flood victims, Yediyurappa went to Delhi seeking assistance for political victims of Operation Kamala [buying opposition MLAs],” Kumaraswamy said. “BSY has gone to Delhi seeking the influence of Amit Shah to try and save the disqualified legislators who have been victims of the undemocratic Operation Kamala.”
On the controversial issue of Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya suggesting Karnataka does not “need” to go to the Centre for assistance, Yediyurappa said: “He should not be speaking like this. I will speak to him.”
KSCA donates Rs 10 lakh for flood relief
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Sunday donated Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for rehabilitation of flood victims in the state.
In an impromptu event ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa, KSCA office-bearers, including president Sanjay M Desai and secretary Sudhakar Rao R, handed over the cheque to chief minister BS Yediyurappa. Team India captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri were also present.
Thanking KSCA for the gesture, the chief minister said people from all walks of life should join hands to rebuild lives of flood victims and called for a joint effort to make their lives better.
“My heartfelt thanks to KSCA for its donation to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Yediyurappa said. “As we are aware, Karnataka has suffered severe losses due to floods. As many as 103 taluks in 22 districts are flood-affected. Lakhs of people were displaced and more than 2.4 lakhs houses were damaged. I appeal to all to show solidarity with the flood victims. Please donate generously to the CM’s Relief Fund and join hands to rebuild their lives. Together let us work to make their lives better.”
PayTM, Board of Control for Cricket in India sponsors, also contributed Rs 70 lakh to the relief fund on the occasion.
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