Former Minister Baburao Chavan has strongly criticized the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress party, for allegedly deflecting its responsibility regarding flood relief funds. He urged the administration to promptly announce a comprehensive relief package for all residents affected by floods in the North Karnataka districts.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Chavan emphasized that given the extensive devastation, the state government should immediately utilize its State Disaster Relief Funds. He argued that it is crucial to provide aid without delay, rather than awaiting compensation from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Additionally, he called upon the state to prepare and submit a detailed report to the Central government, outlining the full extent of the losses and formally requesting financial assistance.
Mr. Chavan also condemned the remarks made by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, labeling them as “distasteful and disgraceful.”
He suggested that instead of making derogatory comments, Mr. Kharge should collaborate with Kalaburagi MP Radhakrishna Doddamani to formally raise concerns in Parliament regarding NDRF grants and the necessary flood relief package.
The people of the region, Mr. Chavan asserted, deserve responsible governance, not continuous political finger-pointing and misleading statements. He reiterated his call for the state government to directly provide financial assistance to flood-affected families, rather than deferring the responsibility to the Centre.