Minister Priyank Kharge refutes Amit Shah's claim on drought relief report
Kalaburagi 2024: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has dismissed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the state government delayed submitting the drought relief report by three months, calling it false.
Speaking at a press conference at the Congress office in the city, Kharge stated, "The state government declared 223 taluks out of 236 taluks as drought-prone and 196 taluks out of 223 taluks as severely drought-prone, submitting a report to the Centre on September 22, 2023. A 10-member central team visited the drought-prone areas on October 5 and 9. Following their study, 21 more taluks were declared drought-prone, with an additional request submitted to the Centre on October 9."
Kharge further stated that the state adhered to the Drought Manual regulations, submitting the monsoon drought report by October 31 and the post-monsoon drought report by March 31. He expressed disappointment over Shah's statement, stating it was misleading as the request was submitted within the prescribed date.
He highlighted efforts made by the state government, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's requests to Union ministers for drought relief release. Despite these efforts, Kharge criticized Shah for not convening a high-level meeting to address the severe drought situation in the state.
Kharge concluded by accusing Shah of lying about the state's efforts and urged him to take decisive action to release the much-needed drought relief.
The total crop damage in the state is estimated at 18,171.44 crores across 48 lakh hectares. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a letter dated November 15, 2023, to release drought relief funds.
Additionally, on November 23, 2023, the Agriculture Minister and the Revenue Minister personally met the Union Finance Minister to submit a request for drought relief.
Subsequently, on December 20, 2023, the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Finally, on January 19, 2024, the Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister requesting drought relief assistance. Despite these efforts, state ministers had to stage a protest in Delhi on February 7, 2024, to protest against the Centre's neglect.
The state is facing a severe drought situation, and despite the state government's efforts to secure relief by writing letters and meeting ministers, Home Minister Amit Shah has not called a high-level meeting or made a decision. Minister Priyank Kharge criticized Amit Shah, accusing him of lying when he visited the state.
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Jharkhand: 6 arrested for kidnapping Bengal businessman, associate
Khunti (PTI): Six persons have been arrested for allegedly abducting a West Bengal-based businessman and his associate in Jharkhand's Khunti district and demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Friday in Tilmi area under the jurisdiction of Jariyagarh police station. Upon receiving information, police rescued both victims, they said.
Torpa Sub-divisional Police Officer Christopher Kerketta said, "We have rescued both the victims and arrested six people for their alleged involvement in the crime."
The businessman, identified as Haru Mukherjee (65), had come to the house of his associate, Vijay Oraon (40), to recruit labourers for work at a brick kiln.
The accused hail from different parts of Khunti, and police also seized a four-wheeler, three motorcycles, and five mobile phones from their possession, the officer said, adding an FIR has also been registered and further investigation is underway.
