Karnataka - Shimoga   

Demand for White Paper on relief funds dismissed

Special Correspondent

Delegation will seek more funds for drought relief in the State: Yediyurappa

SHIMOGA: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Sunday dismissed the demand by the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee M. Mallikarjun Kharge that the Government should present a White Paper on the utilisation of the Central assistance for flood and drought relief works. Addressing a press conference, he said: "The question of presenting a White Paper does not arise at all." He invited Mr. Kharge for an open debate on the issue.

He said Mr. Kharge should know that what the Centre had allocated was hardly Rs. 250 crore as its assistance while the Government had sought more assistance in addition to a request for the release of 5 lakh tonne of foodgrains.

He said a delegation led by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, comprising Opposition party leaders, would be taken to New Delhi in November to seek funds to tackle the drought situation.

Mr. Yediyurappa said in some parts of the State tanks and underground water was being depleted. He said the Government was prepared to spend any amount to tackle the problem.

Mr. Yediyurappa said the Chief Minister would extend a formal invitation to President Abdul Kalam to inaugurate the Suvarna Karnataka Gramodaya Scheme.

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