BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said there were mixed feelings about the Independence Day celebrations this year on account of the losses suffered by the people in North Karnataka on account of floods and heavy rainfall.

Unfurling the national flag at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here on the occasion of the 60th Independence Day, he said two rivers — the Krishna and the Bhima — were in spate and reservoirs were overflowing. The Linganamakki Reservoir, a major source of hydroelectric power, was full after a decade and the splendour of the Jog Falls was attracting tourists.

On the other hand, normal life had been disrupted in four districts of North Karnataka due to heavy rainfall and floods. A long wait for Central relief funds in times of emergencies such as this was not justified. "I have personally visited the flood-hit areas of the four districts and listened to the problems of the people," he said.

The Centre should voluntarily despatch teams to take stock of the situation and release funds on humanitarian grounds without delay. An all-party delegation had already met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard and sought funds to tackle the flood situation caused by the release of excess water from dams in Maharashtra, he said.

Villages to be relocated

The Government had decided to relocate villages affected by floods every year. The land acquisition process to relocate the villages would start from November. Apart from floods, 157 taluks were facing a drought, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister urged the Centre to put an end to all border disputes. Referring to the dispute with Maharashtra, he said the Mahajan Commission report on the matter was final. The Government was committed to protecting the interests of the State and its people and it still stood by its demand for the inclusion of Kasaragod in the State, he said.

The Government had decided to hold a World Kannada Conference in Belgaum as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the formation of the State. Kannada Bhavans would be constructed in towns near the State's borders in Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Kolar, Dakshina Kannada and Belgaum districts this year, he said.

Acknowledging that some allegations against the Government had hindered development programmes, Mr. Kumaraswamy said Janata Dal (S)-Bharatiya Janata Party government had increased the budgetary allocation for all sectors.

Preparations were under way to offer a new professional course in tourism to boost activity in the sector in the State, the Chief Minister added.

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