Yeddyurappa seeks Rs 200 crore release for drought relief

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday urged his successor D V Sadananda Gowda to immediately release Rs 200 crore for providing employment to people in drought-hit areas under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

In his six-page letter addressed to Gowda after undertaking a four-day tour in the districts of Koppal, Gadag, Bijapur, Raichur and Yadgir to study the drought conditions in these

North Karnataka region, Yeddyurappa also wanted his party government to provide Rs 25 lakh to every drought-prone taluk for sinking new borewell, repair of borewells and  other relief works.

Yeddyurappa who embarked on a visit to drought-hit areas in the wake of criticism against him for resorting to pressure tactics to regain the lost Chief Ministership at a time  when 136 taluks out of 175 faced drought, urged Gowda not to wait for the Centre to release funds and make available required resources for drought relief.

He said the NREG programme has come to a halt as the Centre has not released Rs 400 crore due to Karnataka and said the state should provide Rs 200 crore and ensure employment to people.

The members of Parliament from the state recently petitioned the Centre for Rs 2,600 crore financial assistance for drought relief works and the chief minister should lead an all party delegation and seek Rs 1,000 crore immediate assistance.

Yeddyurappa has suggested that the Chief Secretary visit all the drought batterred districts, appoint a team of officials to monitor relief works and also bring it to district administration notice the works required to be initiated.

He wanted the government to open Ghoshals, relief centres and ensure drinking water and fodder to help those affected by the drought that has not been witnessed in the last 40  years.