Delhi Diary

A high level delegation from Karnataka led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today demanded an assistance of Rs 318 crore from the Centre to carry out flood relief measures in the state.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with various Central leaders, the Chief Minister said Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has promised to include five districts sought by the State Government for coverage under National Horticulture Mission. These districts were Bangalore Urban, Mandya, Davanagere, Havri and Gadag. He said the Centre also assured Karnataka that it would send a team to assess the flood damages caused to the agriculture crops due to excess rains and drought in some districts of the state. The delegation met Mr Pawar today morning in the capital.
The Chief Minister explained to Mr Pawar about the flood damage caused by excess rains in 24 districts and floods in seven districts resulting in loss of 150 lives and damage to 10,000 houses across the state. The drought was basically in plains of the state. "The damage due to floods is assessed at Rs 517 crore and we have sought a central assistance of Rs 318 crore to take up relief measures," Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said. He said the request for Rs 2,000 crore last year was not considered in the right spirit.
Power crisis
The delegation also met the Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. The chief minister explained how the state had to spend Rs 2,750 crore to purchase power at a very high cost of Rs 9.50 to Rs 10 a unit for ensuring smooth power supply. The state had sought the Centre ensure parity in terms of its allocations to Karnataka from its power generating units in the peninsula.
The state was getting a mere 20.5 per cent from the Central power units as against 31.6 per cent of Tamil Nadu and 26.19 per cent of Andhra Pradesh. The Centre should enhance its allocation by 500 MW to ensure fair share for Karnataka, Mr Yeddyurappa said.
The delegation also called on Union Minister from Karnataka, Mr Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes and apprised them on the power crisis. The delegation included power minister Eshwarappa, Home Minister Dr VS Acharya, Tourism Minister Janardana Reddy, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje and others.
Photo/Report: Mangalorean