Bangalore: After obtaining Central assistance for flood relief, the State Government is now preparing to make a representation to the Union Government to help it combat drought in 102 of the State's 176 taluks.

The Government plans to convene an all-party meeting prior to taking another delegation to meet the Prime Minister to press for drought relief assistance. The exercise is expected to begin after Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who has left for the U.S. to attend a conference of Kannadigas there, returns on September 7.

Sources in the Government said that while floods were restricted to Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Raichur, Bidar and Gulbarga districts, drought had affected all districts, barring Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu.

Minister for Revenue Jagadish Shettar told The Hindu that the Government would shortly declare ten more taluks drought hit in addition to the 102 that have already been so declared.

The Congress is in an upbeat mood following the aerial survey of the flood-hit Krishna basin areas conducted by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday and the "spontaneous response" of the Centre in providing an immediate assistance of Rs. 250 crore for relief operations.

Criticism

But there is also criticism that the Centre delayed sending a senior Minister to conduct a survey and that it came about after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Yediyurappa complained to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam about the discrimination against the State.

Leaders of the ruling coalition, though happy with the release of Central assistance, said the announcement had been "well-timed" considering that the Congress was organising a convention here on Sunday.

Senior officials who accompanied Mr. Patil during the aerial survey on Wednesday said the Minister, who saw for himself the seriousness of the drought, suggested that the Government prepare a contingency plan and seek support from the Centre. It was also pointed out that the assistance extended by the Centre was for relief operations and should not be construed as compensation or insurance.

A delegation led by the Chief Minister, which met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on August 8, sought Rs. 1,600 crore for flood relief operations and Rs. 250 crore has been granted. Last year the Government sought Rs. 4,500 crore under similar circumstances and got Rs. 357 crore.

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