Bidar, 29 Sept

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy visited flood-hit areas in Bidar district on Monday to assess the situation.

“I will not criticise Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. I am making a respectful appeal.  When Yediyurappa was the CM, there were severe floods, and he travelled across Karnataka immediately released relief without waiting for Central government funds,” Vijayendra told press.

“Siddaramaiah should also release more funds instead of waiting for the Centre’s National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).”

Due to heavy rains and release of water from reservoirs in Maharashtra, flood conditions have arisen in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Raichur districts. Farmers, already in difficulty, have now suffered complete destruction of crops. Many people have also lost their homes. Whenever there is heavy rainfall and water is released from Maharashtra reservoirs, riverside farmers and poor families face hardship. The State government must find a permanent solution, he stressed.

The delegation met flood victims as well as families of farmers who had died by suicide in Bidar and Kalaburagi.

Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Kalaburagi district in-charge Priyank Kharge visited the rain and flood-affected areas of the district and heard the grievances of the locals and affected people, according to a statement.