BANGALORE: Congress members staged a walkout in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday protesting against the Government's "failure" to initiate relief measures in flood-affected districts.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had said the rainfall in the State was 37 per cent higher than normal, and the Government was ready to release the funds required for relief operations.

Funds

A sum of Rs. 55 crores was at the disposal of deputy commissioners, and the Centre had released Rs. 47 crore under the Calamity Relief Fund, he said.

Dissatisfied with the statement, the Congress members staged a walkout. Earlier, the Government assured the House that it was discussing with Maharashtra steps to avoid floods in the Krishna Basin.

Mr. Yediyurappa, Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar and Public Works and Energy Minister H.D. Revanna said the Government had made elaborate arrangements to provide quick relief to the victims of floods. There was no shortage of funds, and at least two Ministers had been deputed to monitor relief operations in Belgaum and Kodagu districts following heavy rain. The Government was in constant touch with deputy commissioners in districts, they added.

`Poor response'

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition N. Dharam Singh and 20 members spoke about the threat faced by the people along the banks of the Cauvery and the Krishna, and "the poor response" from the Government. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, they demanded that the Government shift people from low-lying villages and also take other steps.

Members of the ruling parties and the Opposition appreciated measures initiated last year by Mr. Dharam Singh when he was Chief Minister.

Mr. Yediyurappa and Mr. Shettar said the Government had received Rs. 158 crore from the Centre a few days ago as part of a relief package announced last year. It had ensured that deputy commissioners had sufficient funds to take up relief work. Besides Rs. 55 crores that was at the disposal of deputy commissioners, an additional Rs. 16 crores had been released for providing immediate relief to victims.

Water release

Mr. Shettar said nearly 2.5 lakh cusecs of water was flowing in certain stretches of the Krishna. The authorities were in touch with Maharashtra to ascertain the rainfall and the water level in the dams, as it would enable Karnataka to take steps to prevent floods. There were floods last year because of the sudden release of a huge quantity of water from the Koyna Dam without informing Karnataka.

The Minister said directions had been issued to the authorities in Belgaum to shift people from six villages in Athani taluk. Heavy rain in Kolhapur resulted in flooding of areas downstream, including Athani.

Social Welfare Minister Balachandra Jharkiholi was camping in Belgaum, and Minister for Science and Technology Ramachandra Gowda in Kodagu.

Compensation

Compensation of Rs. 50,000 each had been released to the next of kin of those who died in incidents of house collapse near Madikeri.

Mr. Revanna said directions had been issued to the Public Works and Energy departments to provide relief to those affected.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail