BJP, JD(S) target Karnataka govt over relief to those affected due to monsoon rains
Hassan (PTI): The opposition BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka on Sunday targeted the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, accusing it of having failed to provide immediate relief to those affected by flooding and landslides in several parts of the state, due to heavy monsoon showers.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka of BJP and Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy today together visited rain and landslide affected areas in the districts, especially along the National Highway near Sakleshpur.
While Ashoka claimed that the government was "dead" and too busy with scams to respond to the needs of the people, Kumaraswamy questioned the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues not visiting the affected areas so far.
Monsoon rains in Karnataka since June have been 22 per cent above normal and have caused flooding and landslides, especially in coastal and malnad districts of the state.
"Due to more rains this year there have been incidents of landslides and destruction, even deaths...the government should have taken up immediate relief measures, but it seems to have not woken up yet. Last time (during BJP rule) if houses were inundated Rs 10,000 was given as immediate relief and Rs 5 lakh to damaged houses, as per my information immediate relief is not being given," Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters here, he urged the current government to continue with the relief given by the previous administration, "in fact more should be given considering price raise and other factors."
"Care centres should be set up with adequate facilities, but I don't see that...the government is late (in responding to the situation), Ministers and the Chief Minister should have visited affected areas, but it has not happened. I urge the government to act swifty, provide immediate relief and come to the rescue of those in need," he added.
Claiming that the government is caught in scandals and is unable to come out of it, Ashoka said they seem to be busy with that instead of coming to the rescue of affected people.
The relief has still not reached those affected, he said, "the Centre has given what it has to under disaster management, but the state government has to double it, by adding its share, as done in the past. The state government too should give matching grants," he said, adding that, but there seems to be no money in the state government's treasury, it seems to be at the verge of getting "bankrupt."
Hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's reported statement about Kumaraswamy's visit to affected regions -- stating that it is of now use, Ashoka further said, "let him (Shivakumar) come first, he doesn't come, and makes negative comments about Union Minister's visit...relief is being given by the Centre, Kumaraswamy has every right to visit, we are in a federal system."
"This government is not alive, it is dead. It is immersed in scams...people are watching. Let them show first the government is alive," he added.
JD(S) leader and Union Minister Kumaraswamy said, on one side dams filling up due to rains has given some kind of respite, but the damages caused by it to life and properties is painful, and the state government has to act immediately and provide relief.
"I want to tell the Karnataka government that the state's ministers should visit and do spot inspections, it is the duty of the government to build confidence among the affected people," he said.
Taking a dig at Shivakumar's reported statements on his visit and that he (Kumarswamy) should have brought in the military for rescue and relief work, the former CM said, "probably he asked for military to stop scams and loot that are happening in the state under his government...NDRF is working here, it comes under whom?"
Shivakumar seems to be suggesting that Kumaraswamy should not come to the state, he said, "maybe, his hands and legs tremble if I come to Karnataka."
Stating that he will discuss with the Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari about the destruction caused by "unscientific" National Highway work that led to landslides, and try to ensure he does a spot inspection if possible, Kumaraswamy said work has to happen scientifically to avoid such situation and further damage.
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3rd T20I: A three-match 'audition' starts for Gill to find his game back
Dharamsala (PTI): The countdown to save his place in the playing XI begins for a beleaguered Shubman Gill, who is likely to get three matches against South Africa to prove his worth before the Indian team management switches to a ‘Plan B’ ahead of the T20 World Cup, starting in six weeks.
As India gear up to play the third T20I against the Proteas on Sunday in sub-10-degree temperatures in the lap of the ice-clad Dhauladhar range, things are suddenly heating up in the Indian dressing room, with the prolonged poor form of skipper Suryakumar Yadav coming under the scanner.
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Worse, his deputy Shubman Gill, who was pushed into the XI at the expense of a settled Sanju Samson, is not inspiring much confidence.
The South African pace attack featuring Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Ottniel Baartman and Lutho Sipamla — has shown how to bowl on Indian tracks, and the HPCA Stadium strip, offering extra bounce and some movement off the surface, will certainly keep them interested.
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Among all T20 sides, South Africa, in terms of personnel, appears to have the requisite balance to win the trophy in the Indian subcontinent this time. Quinton de Kock’s return, along with the likes of Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, David Miller and all-rounder Jansen, gives their batting an intimidating look.
With only eight games, starting from the third T20I, left before the start of the T20 World Cup title defence, India's under-fire head coach Gautam Gambhir won't be able to afford, two out-of-form top-order batters in the starting line-up.
Being the skipper of the side, Surya will certainly have immunity going into the T20 World Cup despite being completely out of form for the past one year but same can't be said about Gill, who wasn't the original choice as an opener.
Gill's entry into the T20 set-up was a classic case of trying to fix something that ain't broken and things haven't looked good so far.
In this backdrop, Gill would need to bat out of his skin to prove that Ajit Agarkar-led committee wasn't wrong in throwing Samson under the bus for one bad series against England.
The stylish Indian Test and ODI skipper will have to find his T20 game and at least score in two of the three matches if he doesn't want Samson to get his rightful place back or for that matter, find Yashasvi Jaiswal, with a fabulous T20I strike-rate of 165, enter the fray during New Zealand series.
Lack of clarity
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While head coach Gambhir is too proud a person to admit but sending Axar Patel as a one drop batter during the second T20I was a "tactical brain fade" from the team's think-tank.
The kind misstep that was taken with Axar's promotion is unlikely to be repeated in the third game where skipper is expected to go back to No.3 where he has got a lot of success in his first few years at the international level.
Similarly, Shivam Dube being sent at number eight due to the shuffling of batting order was another poor call which would need course correction in the next game.
Is there a place for Kuldeep Yadav?
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Kuldeep Yadav is one bowler who has consistently troubled the Proteas batter but in an Indian team where batting till No. 8 is non-negotiable, the left-arm wrist spinner often finds himself getting the rough end of the stick.
At Dharamsala too, he might have to sit out as Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy, two non-batters can't be clubbed in the same T20 playing eleven as that would lead to compromise in batting depth.
While Arshdeep hasn't had a good series so far, it will be interesting to find if team management can find a place for Kuldeep in the playing eleven with Hardik Pandya sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah.
The five-match series is currently tied 1-1.
Teams:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, NT Tilak Verma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Ottniel Baartman, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde.
Match Starts at 7 pm.
