Centre should have released ₹5,000 cr. as interim flood relief, says Siddaramaiah

₹1,200 crore announced by the Union government as “advance release” is not enough, he says

Former CM Siddaramaiah addressing industrialists in Raichur on Tuesday. SANTOSH SAGAR

​MANGALURU: Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Saturday that the Union government should have released at least ₹5,000 crores as interim flood relief to the State.​

Speaking to media persons at Mangaluru International Airport, he said that the State should have brought pressure on the Union government for more funds. The government has failed in this regard, he alleged.​

Mr. Siddaramiah said that ₹1,200 crore announced by the Union government as an “advance release” is not enough to meet the emergency needs.​

He said that Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa did not know how to manage the finances of the government. If he knew it, Mr. Yediyurappa would not have spoken in a manner that reflected that the treasury of the State is empty.​

Mr. Siddaramaiah arrived at the airport on his way to Kalasa in Chikkamagaluru district. ​