Kumaraswamy attacks Karnataka Govt over flood relief
Bengaluru: Senior JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday slammed the BJP-led government in Karnataka for its "failure" to meet the expectations of farmers, who lost their land and livelihood in the floods.
Kumaraswamy specifically mentioned the distressed farmers of Chikkamagaluru district, which saw the devastating floods damaging crops in huge swaths of land and suicide by two farmers who were unable to bear the loss.
He flayed the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje for not standing with the peasants.
"Thousands of families are in distress in Chikkamagaluru due to floods. Farmers are committing suicide as they were not getting any relief from the government," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
"The Chikkamagaluru MP who should come in support of the farmers is missing from the area, which shows her concerns for farmers," he alleged.
Hitting back at the former Chief Minister, Karandlaje said, "Kumaraswamy has demonstrated what he is. If he says that I don't know the sufferings of farmers then he must be knowing it well because he grew rich by growing potatoes."
Defending the Centre, she said the Union government has long term plans while releasing funds.
The central and state grants would be utilised in the best possible manner, she told reporters in Mysuru. Chikkamagaluru district made headlines after two farmers Chandre Gowda and Channappa Gowda committed suicide recently.
They were devastated after the damage to their agriculture land and crops in the ravaging flood last month as well as in the last four to five days.
Following the news of the death of the farmers, Kumaraswamy had visited their houses on Sunday and gave a cheque of Rs two lakh to Chandre Gowda's family and Rs one lakh to Channappa Gowda's family. Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy alleged large scale corruption was taking place in the distribution of relief money to the flood affected people.
"People told me that a racket is operating, which takes a 'cut' of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 from Rs 10,000 given for flood relief to the victims. These are only a few instances.
Such phenomenon is not restricted to Mudigere. We are hearing of similar complaints from elsewhere," he claimed. The former chief minister opined that the Central grant of Rs 1,200 crore was final and no other instalment would be on the way.
Elaborating further, Kumaraswamy said the Centre keeps aside Rs 35,000 crore as contingency fund for the entire country and it would not be able to release more than Rs 1,200 crore to the State.
The Centre had released Rs 1,200 crore flood relief as against the demand of Rs 35,000 crore by the State government. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had said that this was only the first instalment, while second instalment was on the way.
However, Kumaraswamy did not seem to be convinced with Yediyurappa's statement. He said, "In the present circumstances, I don't think the Centre would release more funds." The state should utilise the available funds from its own coffer, which he felt has adequate reserves due to good tax collection.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
