BENGALURU: Congress leaders, including former minister, M. B. Patil and Satish Jarkiholi, on Saturday demanded the BJP government to convene a week-long special session of legislature to discuss about rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas, and to announce a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs each to those who lost their homes during the recent deluge.
Addressing the media along with legislators, Ganesh Hukkeri and Anand Nyamagouda here, Mr Patil said: “We travelled extensively in our respective districts and we are aware of the fact that areas adjacent to the Krishna river basin are worst affected due to heavy rain. The quantum of devastation cannot be easily calculated. But at present, our Chief Minister, B. S. Yediyurappa has estimated it at Rs 40,000 crores based on initial reports. Hence, we demand the Union government to announce at least Rs 10,000 crores as aid for relief operations.” Besides, the Union government should declare recent floods as 'national calamity' and initiate relief work on a war footing.
Referring to Mr Yediyurappa's announcement on release of Rs five lakhs to those who had lost their homes, Mr Patil contended that the compensation should be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh each. Pointing out that recent floods have displaced lakhs of people living on the banks of the river Krishna, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Markandeya and basin areas, Congress leaders, urged Mr Yediyurappa to announce a relief package which would be adequate to rebuild their lives.
Mr Patil also urged the state government to release Rs one lakh for each farmer towards crop loss and reclaim land inundated by flood waters.
He said the Opposition Congress is ready to extend co-operation to the state government in helping flood victims. The leaders also demanded the state government to convene a one-week special Assembly session to discuss the situation in flood ravaged districts and find solutions to help overcome problems in providing relief to the victims.
Mr Patil suggested to the Chief Minister to lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi to seek more funds towards rehabilitation of people displaced by floods.
Alleging that no funds for flood relief were released so far by the Union government, Mr Patil said instead of politicising the issue, both parties have to jointly help victims rebuild the lives of people displaced by floods.
In a memorandum which they plan to submit to Mr Yediyurappa soon, Congress leaders will demand immediate construction of sheds, along with all basic amenities like water supply and toilets, for those who were displaced; adequate compensation for those who have lost their livestock on which they were dependent.
