K.S. Eshwarappa, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, has demanded the convening of a special session of State Legislature to discuss the problems faced by the people in drought-affected areas.
The administration machinery has failed to respond to the problems faced by the people affected by the drought.
There has been a large exodus of people from the villages towards urban areas in search of jobs. Many villages are gripped by shortage of drinking water and fodder. It is necessary to convene a special session of State Legislature to discuss the issue and work out plans on undertaking relief works in affected areas, Mr. Eshwarappa told presspersons here on Friday.
The State government can also seek the suggestions of Opposition leaders, in the special sessions, on measures to be taken to mitigate the problem. Mr. Eshwarappa alleged that the Congress leaders were trying to politicise the drought issue.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre has released an amount of Rs. 1,450 crore to Karnataka in first phase and Rs. 723 crore in second phase to take up relief works in drought-hit areas. It is unfortunate that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trying to tarnish the image of the Centre by issuing false statements on the funds released for relief works,” he said.
When the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government was in power at the Centre, an amount of Rs. 397 crore was provided to Karnataka in the year 2012-’13 and Rs. 310 crore in 2013-’14 for relief works in areas affected by natural calamities.
For the first time, the Centre has provided more than Rs. 2,000 crore to Karnataka to take up relief works. In addition to this, ample funds have been provided under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme also to take up income and employment generation activities.
The drought situation has worsened in Karnataka owing to the failure by the State government to make proper utilisation of these funds, said Mr. Eshwarappa, pressing the State government to release a White Paper on the measures it has taken to tackle drought.
Mr. Eshwarappa said that in the wake of the prevailing situation, the legislators should be directed to use their Local Area Development fund to address the drinking water problem. It is necessary to work out proper guidelines in this regard, he said.
MLC M.B. Bhanuprakash, ex-MLA K.G. Kumaraswamy and President of BJP district unit S. Dattatri were present.
The BJP government at the Centre has released Rs. 1,450 crore to Karnataka in the first phase and Rs. 723 crore in the second phase for relief work.
K.S. Eshwarappa
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
Funds provided under Congress-led UPA govt.
Rs. 397 crore was provided to Karnataka in 2012-13 and Rs. 310 crore in 2013-14 for relief works in areas affected by natural calamities
