Minister invokes Manmohan Singh era to counter drought criticism in Council
Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda defended the State's drought response in the Legislative Council, turning Opposition criticism toward the Centre's record on disaster aid.
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday shifted the Legislative Council's debate on Karnataka's drought handling toward the Union government's record on disaster assistance, after Opposition members questioned the State's relief measures.
Responding in the House, Mr. Byre Gowda recalled the response of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the 2009 floods in Karnataka. He said the Prime Minister had toured flood-affected areas and announced ₹1,000 crore in assistance before departing. Drawing a contrast with the present, he asked whether the Prime Minister or any Union Minister had visited Karnataka to assess the ongoing drought.
The Minister also cited the farm loan waiver announced by the Manmohan Singh government in 2008, placing its value at ₹72,000 crore, and challenged the Opposition to point to a comparable waiver by the Union government in recent years.
Opposition members disputed his figures and referred to the amounts Karnataka had sought and received during earlier disasters.
Mr. Byre Gowda maintained that the State had repeatedly sought Central assistance and alleged that Karnataka had encountered delays and shortfalls in receiving relief.