K'taka CM writes to PM, seeks release of full drought relief

Expressing unhappiness over the Centre approving less than half of the amount the state has requested for drought relief, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said a fresh memorandum has been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for releasing entire Rs 4,702 crore sought from the Union government.

The state government had sought Rs 4,702 crore drought relief for 2016 kharif crop losses, but the Centre had recently approved only Rs 1,782 crore.

"I am not happy with the amount approved for our state. I have submitted a fresh memorandum to the Prime Minister yesterday seeking full release of the amount sought by the state," Siddaramaiah, who is here to attend the national convention of AICC tomorrow, told reporters.
 

He said Rs 1,782 crore the Centre has approved is not even 50 per cent of what the state had demanded.

"I have requested the Prime Minister to release the rest of the amount to the state," he added.

Upon being told the amount released by the Centre is the highest in the recent years, he said, "They should not take defence like this. We are facing the worst drought in last 50 years. They should not ignore this fact."

On 14th Finance Commission recommending lower amount in the State Disaster Relief fund, the Chief Minister said, "We have raised this issue multiple times. I have written to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to rectify it."

The Commission has recommended Rs 1,500 crore-odd for the state, which is the second to Rajasthan in terms of large patch of dry land areas and rainfed areas, he said.

"We have presented our case properly during the meeting the 14th Finance Commission. It is in the hands of the central government to rectify it. The amount should be at least Rs 6,000 crore for Karnataka," Siddaramaih asserted.

Disaster relief is the primary responsibility of state governments, but the money for the relief comes from two sources -- National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Relief fund (SDRF).

The NDRF is given entirely by the central government, while the SDRF is made up of 75 per cent contribution from the Centre and the rest from the state.

The Finance Commission recommends the annual size of each state's fund and also suggests the mechanism by which the Centre releases the relief amount.