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Yediyurappa meets PM, seeks immediate funds for flood relief

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and appealed for release of funds immediately to take up relief works in the flood and rain-ravaged state.

Responding to his appeal, the Prime Minister assured tosend central study team soon to assess the damage due to the floods, the Chief Minister said in the national capital after the meeting.

“State is hit by a calamity that has not taken place in the last 108 years. Fifteen days ago there was drought situation, but today dams are full and because of excess waterreleased from Maharashtra there is damage caused, about all these things we have brought to the notice of the Prime Minister,” Yediyurappa said.

The Karnataka Chief Minister said the Prime Minister “understood every thing” and soon he will be sending a team for assessment.

“We have asked for release of funds as immediate relief. He (PM) said, he will discuss and let us know. I’m confident that he is in know of the situation in the state as he has already gathered information. Let’s wait and see,” he added.

Recently, Yediyurappa had requested the Centre to release ₹3,000 crore as interim relief immediately to take up rehabilitation work.

Hitting out at the BJP-led Central government over the “delay” in announcing relief, despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman personally assessing the situation, the opposition parties-both Congress and JD(S) had demanded immediate release of ₹5,000 crore as interim relief.

Asked if there was any assurance from the Prime Minister on ₹3,000 crore as immediate relief, Yediyurappa merely said: “According to an estimate lossis over ₹40,000 crore.”

“They include-(damaged) houses, roads, bridges- we have to find solutions to all these things. We have informed the Prime Minister about all these things,” he added.

According to a release from the Chief Minister’s office, during the 45-minute meeting Chief Minister appraised the Prime Minister about the grave situation of the flood-hit areas in the State and explained that the losses suffered due to floodswas unseen before, and more funds are required to take up relief measures and rebuild the lives of the victims.

Chief Secretary to Government T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister P. Ravikumar were present at the meeting, it added.

- PTI