Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Criticizes Home Minister Amit Shah Over Delayed Drought Relief
Bengaluru: In a scathing attack on Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused him of neglecting the needs of the state by failing to release compensation for drought relief. The criticism comes as Shah visited Karnataka to launch a campaign for alliance party candidates ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that 223 taluks in the state have been officially declared drought-affected, resulting in an estimated loss of around ₹33,770 crore according to a state government assessment. Despite repeated appeals and demands, Siddaramaiah lamented that the Centre has not provided the requested compensation of ₹17,901 crore.
Expressing frustration over the lack of action, Siddaramaiah revealed that Shah had previously assured him of convening a meeting of the high-powered committee for drought relief within a week back in September. However, months have passed without any progress on this front, leaving Karnataka without the necessary support during this challenging time.
This is not the first instance of perceived injustice towards Karnataka, Siddaramaiah emphasized. He recalled a similar situation in 2017 when the state faced a drought, resulting in significant losses. Despite Karnataka’s plea for assistance, the Union Government provided only a fraction of the requested relief, while other states received substantially more support.
Siddaramaiah questioned Shah’s motives, accusing him of showing animosity towards Karnataka and Kannadigas. He challenged Shah to address the grievances of the people and provide the necessary support without further delay.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the broader impact of Shah’s actions, suggesting that they could disrupt the peace and harmony of Karnataka. He urged Shah to prioritize the welfare of the state’s residents and refrain from undermining their interests for political gain.
