1 week ago
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha against delay in drought relief by the Centre on Tuesday. Mr. Siddaramaiah asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to go back from the State, till they provide drought relief. Mr. Shah is in the State on Tuesday.
During a hearing of the case filed by the Government of Karnataka in the Supreme Court over the issue, the Union government sought a week’s time to provide drought relief to the State on April 23.
“Our fight in the Supreme Court and Union Government finally relenting and promising drought relief is a testament to Congress’s commitment to the State’s interests,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said, adding that the injustice and delay tactics of the Union government forced the State government to approach the Supreme Court.
“We have declared drought in 223 of 240 taluks in the State in September, 2023. There is crop loss in 48 lakh hectares. Despite submitting a memorandum for drought relief in October itself, the Union government is yet to act on it. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has lied to the people saying we are seeking funds for guarantee schemes. We have self-financed our welfare schemes and are not seeking a single rupee from the Centre for the same,” he said.
AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs Randeep Surjewala, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Energy Minister K.J. George were among others present at the protest.
