The Hindu : New Delhi News : Rain: Krishna seeks immediate Central relief

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Rain: Krishna seeks immediate Central relief

Special Correspondent

Congress leader for comprehensive package

NEW DELHI: The former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Wednesday and sought immediate Central relief to those affected by the recent rain in north Karnataka.

Noting that the unseasonable rain during the last week of March in nine districts of north Karnataka was unprecedented over the last century, he told Mr. Singh that as per interim reports submitted by the deputy commissioners of the districts, the overall loss of property and crops had been estimated at Rs.27 crore.

Official estimates point to the loss of crops on 27,000 hectares, damage to over 1,000 km of roads, collapse of 631 big and small bridges and blocking of 157 drinking water and underground sanitation links. “The situation is, without doubt, grim and calls for immediate relief operations on a war-footing.”

The Centre ought to rush to the rescue of the affected people with a comprehensive package, comprising of adequate funds for rehabilitation, ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the victims, distribution of foodgrains, and construction of roads, tanks and bridges, he said.

Mr. Krishna presented a report to the Prime Minister detailing the havoc wrought by the rain in Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Gadag, Gulbarga, Haveri, Koppal and Raichur.

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