BANGALORE: The state committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist) will organise a state-wide picketing on April 23 protesting the irresponsible handling of the state’s drought crises by the ruling BJP government.
Party workers would picket in front of deputy commissioners' offices in all the districts to bring to notice of the officials concerned the problems of people in drought hit areas.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, state CPM secretary G V Srirama Reddy said: “Despite knowing six months ago that the state was facing drought, the government displayed apathy and callous behaviour towards the welfare of the people. Instead, they have resorted politics in resports, groupism and travel to Delhi.”
He chastised the government for not spending funds released for relief works. “Though over Rs 540 crore had been released by the government, only Rs 158 crore has been spent. Not even 10 per cent of the Rs 182 crore released to the DCs of the affected districts have been spent,” lamented Reddy.
State Committee member G N Nagaraj regretted at the government's approach. “They consider expenditure on drought a burden.”
He demanded provision of 35 kg of foodgrains at Rs 2 in the affected areas, opening of gruel centres and cattle shelters.