Karnataka Chief Minister Stages Dharna Over Delayed Drought Relief Funds
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah staged a dharna on Tuesday to protest the delay in the release of drought relief funds by the central government. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of "hating Karnataka and its farmers" and said the BJP-led government was responsible for the injustice meted out to the state.
Siddaramaiah cited government survey reports stating that 223 out of 240 taluks in the state were drought-affected. He claimed that the state had not witnessed such a severe drought in 100 years. Despite repeated requests for assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), the central government remained unresponsive.
The chief minister highlighted the state government's efforts to provide relief to farmers, including paying Rs 2,000 to each farmer affected by crop loss due to inadequate rainfall. He questioned the audacity of Modi and Shah to campaign in Karnataka while neglecting the plight of its farmers.
Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for its intervention in the matter and termed it a victory in the state government's fight for justice and relief for its people. The court had directed the central government to take a decision on the drought relief funds within a week.
This development marked a significant milestone in the state's struggle for drought relief. The central government's agreement to expedite the decision was a direct result of the Supreme Court's intervention and the state government's persistent efforts.