The state government is considering leading another all-party delegation to New Delhi to seek Central financial assistance to tackle the prevailing drought in the state, said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.Addressing the press here on Monday, Gowda said that the state government has written to the Centre on funds already released by the Centre and its utilisation by the state. The letter also requested the Centre to release the amount sought in the memorandum, the Chief Minister said.
“After AICC chief Sonia Gandhi’s visit to drought-hit districts in the state, people had high hopes of more help. Even Rahul Gandhi during his two-day visit to the state, has not said anything on the drought,” he said.
The CM added that he and many teams of ministers had toured many districts to survey the situation. He added that the reports subsequently prepared were opposed to by the Opposition leaders. This, despite a Central Study Team which toured drought-hit districts of the state, being convinced of the gravity of the drought.
The delegation which sought financial assistance of `5,844 crore, but the state has received only `283 crore so far. “In fact, the government has spent `600 crore from its own pocket,” Gowda said. He added that five districts are reeling under drought.
BJP leader MP Anantkumar accused the Centre of announced special package for Vidarbha and Bundelkhand, while remaining mum on Karnataka.