In a bid to quell opposition criticism of the BJP-led Karnataka government's handling of flood relief works in the state, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced additional financial aid of Rs 10,000 for every hectare of crop loss suffered during the floods.
Yediyurappa made the announcement while speaking in the Assembly on Friday during a debate on flood relief works. This was during the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly. Horticulture crops, irrigated land and dry land were included in the latest financial aid. "We provided all possible relief to flood victims within the funds available with the state government," Yediyurappa said.
Yediyurappa added that Rs 5 lakh would be provided to each family which lost their homes in the floods. This includes property damage of over 75% as well. In all, almost 27,000 households will receive Rs 5 lakh as compensation. Yediyurappa claimed that Rs 1 lakh to build foundation of new homes has been sanctioned so far.
The flood relief measures are expected to cost Rs 2,500 crore to the state exchequer.
Opposition leaders have continuously criticised the government's lack of flood relief works. Recently appointed Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that the compensation being provided is 'too little too late'. He called for the floods that hit the state in August to be declared as a national calamity.
The Union government released Rs 1,200 crore as interim flood relief to the state earlier this month, over two months after the floods and landslides hit the state.
The delay in handing out flood relief was criticised by opposition leaders from JD(S) and Congress. The floods affected over 100 out of 175 taluks and as many as 22 out of 30 districts in the state. The disaster occurred weeks after the BJP-led government came to power in Karnataka.