BJP, JD(S) target Congress in K’taka over relief efforts for rain victims
Ashoka claims that the government is mired in scandals and cannot get out of it. They seem to be doing just that instead of rescuing the affected people | (PTI photo)
The opposition parties BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka on Sunday attacked the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, accusing it of failing to provide immediate relief to victims of floods and landslides in several parts of the state following heavy monsoon showers.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka of the BJP and Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy today jointly visited the rain and landslide-affected areas in the districts, especially along the national highway near Sakleshpur.
While Ashoka claimed that the government was “dead” and too busy with scams to respond to the needs of the people, Kumaraswamy questioned the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues over their failure to visit the affected areas so far.
Since June, monsoon rains in Karnataka have been 22 percent higher than normal, causing flooding and landslides, especially in the state’s coastal and Malnad districts.
“Due to the increased rainfall this year, there have been incidents of landslides and destruction, even deaths… the government should have taken immediate relief measures, but it seems it has not woken up yet. Last time (during BJP rule) Rs 10,000 was given as immediate relief if houses were submerged and Rs 5 lakh for damaged houses, as far as I know no immediate relief is being given,” Ashoka said.
In an interview with reporters, he urged the current government to continue the support provided by the previous government. “Actually, more should be provided, given the price increases and other factors.”
“Healthcare centres should be set up with adequate facilities but I don’t see that… the government is late (in responding to the situation), ministers and the Chief Minister should have visited the affected areas but that didn’t happen. I urge the government to act quickly, provide immediate relief and rescue those in need,” he added.
Ashoka claims that the government is embroiled in scandals and cannot get out of them. According to them, they are more concerned with this than helping the affected people.
The relief has still not reached the affected, he said, “the Centre has given what it was supposed to give under disaster management but the state government should double it by adding its share as has been done in the past. The state government should also give matching grants,” he said, adding that with no money in the state government’s coffers, it seems to be on the verge of “bankruptcy”.
Ashoka hit out at Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s alleged remarks on Kumaraswamy’s visit to the affected regions. He said the visit is of no use anymore. He further said, “Let him (Shivakumar) come first, he is not coming and making negative remarks about the minister’s visit… the Centre is providing help, Kumaraswamy has every right to visit, we are living in a federal system.”
“This government is not alive, it is dead. It is involved in fraud…people are watching. Let them first show that the government is alive,” he added.
JD(S) leader and Union Minister Kumaraswamy said that while the flooding of dams due to rains has provided some relief, the damage caused to human lives and property is painful and the state government should take immediate action and provide relief.
“I want to tell the Karnataka government that the state ministers should visit the state and conduct spot inspections. It is the duty of the government to create confidence among the affected people,” he said.
The former chief minister criticised Shivakumar’s statements during his visit and said he (Kumarswamy) should have deployed the army for rescue and relief work. “Probably he has asked the army to stop the scams and looting that are happening in the state under his government… The NDRF is working here, but under whom does it come?”
Shivakumar seems to suggest that Kumaraswamy should not come to the state. He said, “Maybe his hands and legs will shake if I come to Karnataka.”
Kumaraswamy said he would hold talks with Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari over the devastation caused by the “unscientific” work on the national highway, which has led to landslides, and if possible, conduct an on-site inspection. He said the work should be carried out in a scientific manner to prevent such situations and further damage.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: Jul 21, 2024 | 12:52 PM IST