Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has clarified that the state government did not offer to allow donors who contribute above Rs 10 crore to rename flood-hit villages. Instead, only newly developed layouts can be named by donors.

On Wednesday, it was reported that the CM had promised over 60 industrialists at the Vidhana Soudha that companies which donate over Rs 10 crore to flood-hit villages can rename these places.

After media reports drew criticism, the Chief Minister on Saturday tweeted a clarification.

"Clarification: Chief Minister had announced that donors contributing more than Rs. 10 crore will have the layouts named after them, not the villages," read a tweet from his official handle.

Clarification: Chief Minister had announced that the donors contributing more than Rs. 10 crore will have the layouts named after them, not the villages.

CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 16, 2019

The supposed move to rename flood-hit villages was slammed by the residents of these areas and the BJP's opposition parties. "BSY’s decision looks like a Tughlaq decision. Each village name has its own significance. Villagers who lost all their belongings will now be losing their village identity. Don't keep Karnataka for sale," read a tweet on the Janata Dal's official handle.

ಹತ್ತು ಕೋಟಿ ದೇಣಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿದ ಕಂಪೆನಿಗಳ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಇಡುವ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSYBJP ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ತುಘಲಕ್ ನಿರ್ಧಾರದಂತಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಪ್ರತೀ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಹೆಸರಿಗೂ ಅದರದ್ದೇ ಆದ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಿದೆ. ನೆರೆಯಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡಿರುವವರಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಹೆಸರನ್ನೂ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಡಿ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವನ್ನು ಮಾರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಇಡಬೇಡಿ.

Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) August 15, 2019

The floods in Karnataka took the lives of 62 people while 15 others are still missing. The state recorded its highest rainfall in 118 years between August 3 to 10. The rainfall led to flooding in 22 of the state's 30 districts, including 106 of 176 taluks. It also triggered landslides in the Malnad region of Karnataka, blocking important traffic routes and displacing thousands.