Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R.Ashok on Monday questioned the state government’s delay in officially declaring drought-hit areas, saying the Centre could not be expected to send an assessment team unless the state first completed the required process.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Ashok said the Karnataka government had not yet declared drought despite prevailing conditions in several parts of the state. “If the state government itself has not officially declared drought, how can the Centre depute a team to assess the situation?” he asked.
Referring to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s visits to drought-affected regions, Ashok questioned how much relief had been announced for affected farmers. He alleged that the government had not released any drought relief funds and accused it of making symbolic visits before heading to New Delhi.
Ashok said he had already toured drought-hit areas in Mandya district and would visit districts in North Karnataka next week to assess the situation.
He maintained that once drought is officially declared, the state government is required to release the first phase of relief before seeking assistance from the Centre. “Without conducting its own assessment and submitting a report, the state cannot expect the Central team to arrive,” he said.
The BJP leader also questioned whether the Chief Minister had sought reports from deputy commissioners after visiting drought-affected districts and whether any relief had been sanctioned based on those reports. He said the state government must prepare a comprehensive report before requesting a Central assessment.
Ashok further alleged that the state government was facing a financial crunch, claiming that even payments under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme had been delayed and that the government was struggling to pay salaries to officials and employees. He also questioned the purpose of the Chief Minister’s visit to New Delhi, alleging that it was unrelated to the state’s interests, drought relief or the Cauvery issue.
