The Hindu : Krishna to seek clarification on drought relief works

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Krishna to seek clarification on drought relief works

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 8. The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, has said that he would be writing to the Chief Election Commission seeking a clarification on who should plan and monitor the implementation of drought relief works — Ministers or officials.

He told presspersons here today that there were certain "grey areas" in the model code of conduct, particularly with regard to the implementation of certain emergency works. Following successive droughts in the State, people in the rural areas were in difficulty and the Government had to extend assistance to them.

Adequate drinking water, employment to agricultural labourers who had been deprived of work following the drought, and fodder for cattle had to be provided. The question was who should undertake and monitor the programmes, he said.

BJP plea

The State unit of the BJP has urged the Election Commission not to allow Ministers to oversee drought relief works.

The party spokesperson, S. Suresh Kumar, told presspersons here today that the drought relief works should be the responsibility of the Deputy Commissioners of the drought-affected districts. The BJP feared that there would be "misuse" if the commission agreed to allow Ministers to oversee drought relief measures.

On the Chief Minister's yatra from March 12, Mr. Kumar said the Congress was "imitating" the BJP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani's "Bharat Uday Yatra", which would be arriving in Bangalore on the same day. He said that knowing that Mr. Advani's yatra would be traversing Karnataka from March 12 to 16, the Chief Minister had embarked upon his programme. He said it would be wise for the Congress not to have its "yatra" on the same day.

Mr. Kumar said that the BJP had written to the Chief Election Commissioner that the State Government was transferring officials, particularly police officials, which was a violation of the model code of conduct.

The former Minister and Safai Karamchari President, K.M. Muniyappa; the former Janata Dal (U) legislator, M. Srinivas; the former MLC (AIPJD), Honnappa; the Director of the Vokkaligara Sangha (Kolar), M. Ramesh; and their supporters joined the BJP today.

Mr. Kumar said AIPJD members in five taluks of Kolar district (Chikaballapur, Gauribidanur, Gudibande, Bagepalli and Siddlaghata) also joined the party.

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