The State Government is yet to work out the amount it would have to bear towards waiver of loans of farmers in the flood-affected areas and increasing the compensation for crop loss.
“We will think of what to do later. First, we are seeking the Union Government’s help,” Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said here on Wednesday.
Speaking to presspersons after participating in the Police Commemoration Day function, Mr. Yeddyurappa said farmers had lost standing crops. During the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the flood-affected areas, the State Government sought a one-time wavier of farm loans and doubling the compensation paid as per the calamity relief guidelines for loss of crops.
“The State and the Union governments should come together to help farmers,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said and added that a proposal had been submitted in this regard at the meeting with the Prime Minister on Tuesday. The State Government had sought relaxation of guidelines under the Calamity Relief Fund.
“We are expecting a positive response. (Union Home Minister) P. Chidambaram and Manmohan Singh have promised to look into it,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said. The Union Government quickly responded by sending a team to officials to the flood-affected areas. Mr. Yeddyurappa dismissed reports about dissatisfaction among people over the way the relief works had been taken up. “We have been able to meet the immediate needs of the affected people. Works are being executed on a war-footing and people are happy. The State Government was focussing on building sheds for the displaced people and moving them out of schools so that classes could commence. The process of relocating 224 villages would pick up speed. Half of the 5,000 acres of land needed for relocation had already been identified, he said.
In the last 20 days, the Government had released Rs. 1,000 crore and spent Rs. 600 crore for relief works, he added.
