Centre orders release of Rs 1,086 cr to 4 states as advance assistance for cyclone 'Fani'
New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday ordered release of Rs 1,086 crore to four states as advance financial assistance for undertaking preventive and relief measures to deal with cyclone 'Fani', which is approaching the Indian coast.
Following a decision of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered for advance release of financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of four states , an official statement said. Of the sanctioned amount, Odisha will receive Rs 340.87 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 309.37 crore, West Bengal Rs 235.50 crore and Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 200.25 crore.
The move has been made to assist the states for undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to cyclonic storm 'Fani'. The NCMC is the country's top body to deal with emergency situations.
Cyclone 'Fani' is likely to intensify into an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm' by Tuesday night and can hit the Odisha coast by Friday afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said.
In its 12 pm bulletin, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said 'Fani' (pronounced Foni) lays over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 830 km nearly south of Puri (Odisha) and 670 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and about 680 km northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka).
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and the fishermen asked not to venture into the sea.
The wind speed of cyclonic storm is 80-90 kilometres per hour with wind gusting up to 100 kmph. In case of an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm', the wind speed goes up to 170-180 kmph and could gain the speed of 195-200 kmph.
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CM Siddaramaiah slams Yatnal's campaign in bypoll, calls it BJP’s ‘double standard’
Bagalkote (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the BJP of adopting “double standard” by bringing expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to campaign for the Assembly bypolls.
Yatnal has been campaigning extensively in Bagalkote for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, who is in a direct contest with Congress candidate Umesh Meti, son of sitting MLA H Y Meti, whose death necessitated the April 9 bypoll.
Yatnal, a firebrand leader, was expelled from the BJP for anti-party activities after making a series of allegations, including on dynastic politics and corruption, against party stalwart and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his sons—Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra and BJP state president and Shikaripura MLA B Y Vijayendra.
Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said bringing Yatnal in for campaigning shows that the BJP is losing the election.
“Once the BJP realised it would lose the election, it brought back those it had expelled. On one hand, the BJP expels him (Yatnal); on the other, it brings him back, praises him, and makes him campaign. Isn’t this a double standard?” the CM asked.
According to him, roping in Yatnal indicates that the opposition party is in a “weak position.”
On the BJP’s allegation that the budget favours minorities, Siddaramaiah asked whether they are not citizens of India. “Do you know what percentage they constitute? More than 14 per cent. In our budget, we have provided for everyone, including them,” he said.
Responding to the opposition’s charge that the Congress is “misusing power and money” to win the bypolls, Siddaramaiah said the BJP was doing so instead.
“The BJP has no limits when it comes to telling lies. There is no truth in what it says, and it does not act according to its words. I do not react much to the BJP. Out of fear of losing this constituency, it is saying whatever comes to its mouth,” the CM said.
On the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats and its impact on the state, Siddaramaiah said the exercise should be based on population, but without any discrimination. “Seats should not be reduced for southern states while being increased for northern states. There must be uniformity,” he said.
On the auto-LPG shortage that has led to long queues of autorickshaws at LPG stations, he said the Centre must address the issue.
“It is the responsibility of the Centre to supply gas cylinders, not the state government. The state only distributes what is supplied. The Centre should be held accountable,” he said.
Dismissing the BJP’s claim that the bypoll results would affect state politics and his position, Siddaramaiah said the Congress would win both Bagalkote and Davanagere seats.
