MYSORE: “Karnataka will demand a Rs 2200-crore relief package from the Centre to tackle the prevailing drought in Karnataka,” said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
He added that the government has already released Rs 364 crore for relief and emergency works.
Speaking to the media here on Saturday, he said that the Delhi visit of the all-party delegation to apprise the Centre on the drought has been put off as Opposition leader in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah has announced to tour the affected areas independently.
However, he added that the delegation will meet the prime minister and other ministers during mid-April when they will demand resolution to the Cauvery water dispute and special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka region among other issues.
The CM also informed that three teams of ministers will visit the Hyderabad-Karnataka, Mumbai-Karnataka and Old Mysore regions to study the drought and submit a report to the government. Meanwhile, in an apparent bid to downplay the differences between him and his predecessor, he said that the latter’s suggestions on the drought will be accepted.
He refuted the charge that his ministers failed to tour the affected regions in north Karnataka and Chamarajanagar. “Ministers in Gulbarga and Hubli regions have reviewed the situation,” he said.
‘No Jolly Trip to Japan’
When questioned on his upcoming visit to Japan, Gowda shot back: “I am not on a jolly trip... I will hold road shows in Japan over five days in order to attract investment of Rs 5 lakh crore.”