Bengaluru: Veterinary department officials were at the receiving end of a tongue lashing by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who visited a goshala meant for cattle at Ullarti village in Chellakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Friday.
Mr Siddaramaiah was enraged by the fact that contaminated water was being provided to cattle at the goshala and took veterinary officials to task asking them to drink the water first before providing it to cattle. Mr Siddaramaiah also announced that with the state facing a severe drought, he will seek Rs 11,800 crore financial assistance from the Centre and will be leaving for Delhi on Saturday to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to whom he will submit a memorandum. Speaking to reporters after visiting drought affected areas in Chitrdurga and Tumakuru districts, Mr Siddaramaiah said that since both the Kharif and Rabi crops had failed, the state needs more financial assistance. The PM has invited the Chief Minister to Dlhi to discuss drought related issues.
During the Kharif season, nearly Rs 16,000 crore worth crop was lost. The state has demanded Rs 3,830 crore from the Centre but only Rs 1550 crore was released for the purpose, Mr. Siddaramaiah said. “During my meeting with the Prime Minister, I will seek more grants and will explain to him the severity of the drought in the state,” he said.
