No funds yet from Centre for flood relief, Karnataka diverts money from 39 departments

It has been close to two months since floods ravaged several districts in Karnataka rendering thousands of people without homes. And yet, the central government has not released flood relief funds. With elections fast approaching, the BJP government, which does not want the anger in flood-hit areas to simmer any further, has decided to divert funds from 39 departments. These funds will be used to help rebuild homes of members of the Dalit and Adivasi communities, who were affected by the recent floods.

“Several department heads like those from Public Works, Irrigation, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and other departments, were at the meeting. The CM asked each department head whether they would be able to contribute funds to flood relief works. Each department has been asked to be frugal with spending money allocated to them as per the state budget and only projects that are absolutely necessary are to be undertaken,” a senior official from Department of Social Welfare told TNM.

Speaking to TNM, Joint Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Urmila, confirmed that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa held a meeting with heads of 39 departments in order to review the funds that could be pooled in for flood relief works. The meeting was held on September 20 and CM Yediyurappa has directed several departments to divert Rs 1,100 crore for rebuilding homes for the members of the Dalit and Adivasi communities.

The Chief Minister has asked the various department heads to gather the funds, which will be allocated to eligible persons by the Department of Social Welfare. “The total amount is coming up to Rs 1,100 crore. This is only for construction of homes for SC and ST people. More money is needed for flood relief in terms of compensating crop losses, which the centre must provide. We are waiting for NDRF funds,” she added.

The lack of progress in allocation of funds to Karnataka has made farmer groups threaten protests across the state. Speaking to TNM, member of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Kururbara Shanthakumar, said that farmers across the country would protest if the union government does not release funds for crop losses soon.

“Construction of houses will take time but the government can at least give us money for crop losses so we can get started on farming activities. It's almost two months and there has been no progress,” he said.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, most farmers in the affected districts have incurred 50% crop loss due to floods. Data states that in 130 flood-hit taluks in Karnataka, 2.7 lakh farmers have lost their crops. Of these, Rs 730 crore damage has been in agricultural lands, Rs 126 crore in sericulture plants, Rs 136 crore in horticulture plantations and Rs 162 crore in coffee plantations.

The National Disaster Management Fund allocates Rs 6,800 to each farmer for flood relief irrespective the damage. “The government has to allocate around Rs 1,100 crore for flood relief. The Centre had approved the funds but they have not been released yet,” Shanthakumar added.

On August 20, the Home Ministry said that a high-level committee, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved Rs 1029.39 crore to Karnataka for floods in 2018. However, these funds have not been released to the state government. CM BS Yediyurappa met Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday and requested that Rs 2,000 crore be released immediately.