Yediyurappa: 'Whenever I become CM, it has been a trial by fire'

On Tuesday, the Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that it has been 'trial by fire' for him whenever he has occupied higher posts because the state always gets hit by calamities during his tenure. "Whenever I have become the Chief Minister it has been a trial by fire. Record rains in 108-110 years have taken place leading to large scale flooding and destruction. We have to resolve issues and help in construction of houses to those displaced," said Yediyurappa. In the year 2008 when BS Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister, many regions of north Karnataka were affected by floods.

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'Awaiting Relief Funds'

The Karnataka CM claimed that many districts are in a drought like situation and said, "We are facing both drought and flood situation. I'm hopeful of getting funds from the Centre in another four to five days. We are giving special attention in providing relief to those affected by floods cancelling certain programmes of the state government." Around seven lakh people were relocated to safe areas and thousands of houses of civilians were damaged in the floods last month. The state has sent an estimate of Rs. 35,160.81 crore for flood damage to the government, and is awaiting the relief funds to be sent.

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About Rs. 2,500 crore has been released for the reconstruction of roads, bridges and houses where Yediyurappa has claimed that Rs. 5 lakh per house would be provided for reconstruction where Rs. 1 lakh has already been released. "We are analysing where there can be savings, in which department money has not been spent, we may use that," the CM said. He has also explained that the state government will continue with the farm loan waiver scheme promised by the earlier government as it is the government's duty.

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Yediyurappa Meets Amit Shah for Flood Relief

On September 22, the Karnataka CM met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought Rs. 2,000 crore as urgent relief for the flood-affected State. Speaking to the reporters, the Chief Minister said that the Centre has assured that a decision on providing assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) will be taken after a central team, which is assessing the extent of damage in the State, submits its report in the next two-three days. A decision on this matter will be taken after the Prime Minister returns to India, he added.

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