Bangalore, Sept 18: Karnataka today flayed the Centre for what it termed as "indifferent attitude" in responding to state's repeated pleas for financial assistance and release of foodgrains to tackle the "worst drought situation that has gripped the state for the last three years". The state cabinet at its meeting here expressed displeasure over the "failure" of the Centre in coming out to the rescue of the state, despite it being the "lone state in the country to face drought," Minister for Primary and Secondary Education B K Chandrashekhar and Minister for Rural Development M Y Ghorpade told reporters.

The state government hoped that the Centre would consider its request for sanction of Rs 1,881 crore cash assistance and 9.90 lakh tonnes of foodgrains, the ministers said. They said the cabinet regretted that though the central study team, deputed to make an on the spot assessment of the drought situation, visited the state from august 17 to 20 and submitted its report, the high power committee on drought headed by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani was yet to meet.

Chandrashekhar said Chief Minister S M Krishna called on Advani during his visit here on September 10, presented a copy of the memorandum the state had submitted to the Centre seeking assistance.

"It is unfortunate that Advani is yet to set a date for the high power committee meeting which decides on the quantum of assistance to be extended to the state," the minister added. Bureau Report