Bangalore: Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj
today rapped the BJP government over rehabilitation work in
the state's flood-hit northern districts, but Chief Minister B
S Yeddyurappa disagreed with his view and asserted that
relief work was underway on a "war-footing".
Bhardwaj said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did an aerial
survey of affected districts and announced an aid of Rs 1,000
crore, "but nothing has been done" by the state government."
"You (the state government) have to work. People are
watching you curiously," Bhardwaj told reporters on the
sidelines of a function here.
"You should know that I am disappointed that the
community has not been helped," he said.
Yeddyurappa disagreed with Bhardwaj and said
rehabilitation of people in flood-hit areas was in progress on
a "war-footing" with the support of private initiatives.
The government has taken up rehabilitation work in an
"unprecedented manner", he told reporters adding it had
released Rs 1,500 crore of which Rs 1,200 crore has been
spent.
Bhardwaj said in a country like India there was no dearth
of funds to take up rehabilitation and offered to go himself
to Delhi to press the Centre for more money if required.
Yeddyurappa said he was ready to accompany the Governor
to the national capital to seek more funds.
Bhardwaj had earlier raised the hackles of the BJP
government when he made some critical remarks about the law
and order situation, prompting the government to take
exception to it.
’Toll on iron ore trucks not finalised’
Yeddyurappa today appeared to climb down on government's
decision to impose toll on iron ore-laden trucks, apparently
under pressure from ministers from Bellary, who had recently
demanded his removal.
"We have not finalised. It's still under consideration,"
Yeddyurappa told reporters when asked about the proposed toll.
Recently, the cabinet had decided to impose Rs 1,000 toll
per load of iron ore which reportedly angered mining magnates
ministers G Janardhana Reddy and his brother G Karunakara
Reddy, as it would affect their business interests.
The decision to impose the toll, meant to meet the funds
required for rehabilitation of flood-hit people in northern
districts, was reported to be one of the causes for the recent
dissident activities demanding the removal of the chief
minister.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 20, 2009, 00:41