Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that his government’s fight against the Union Government will continue in the coming days, as the state has only received Rs 3,498.98 crore in drought relief, far below the NDRF norm of Rs 18,171 crore.
He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for cautioning the Union government and assisting the state government in securing some relief funds. Siddaramaiah highlighted that it was the state government’s initiative to approach the Supreme Court, shedding light on the severe drought conditions, that ultimately convinced the apex court.
The Supreme Court, upon hearing the case, directed the Union government to allocate the relief grant. They were compelled to comply with the court’s directives, he added. This achievement, he stressed, was not due to any efforts from BJP leaders or the central government, but rather a result of the Supreme Court’s concern for the agricultural sector and the state’s farmers.
Siddaramaiah also said that BJP leaders might not be able to campaign in the state, if the grant was not released. He cautioned against any attempts by BJP leaders to claim this small relief as their own achievement, urging the people to respond appropriately.
While thanking the central government for releasing the drought relief funds, he urged PM Modi to expedite the release of the remaining amount. Furthermore, he requested to rectify the injustice in the distribution of taxes.
The CM said that 223 taluks in the state had been declared drought-affected, and nearly seven months later, the government finally received some relief. However, with crops across 48 lakh hectares suffering losses amounting to Rs 35,162 crore due to scanty rainfall, the state government had originally requested Rs 18,171 crore in relief funds. With only Rs 3,498 crore released by the central government, Siddaramaiah affirmed that the struggle to secure the remaining amount would continue.
