Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: Chief minister Siddaramaiah arrived in the city late evening on Thursday January 5 to attend the wedding of NRI entrepreneur Dr B R Shetty's son here.

The grand wedding was held at Sahyadri college grounds here.

Speaking to reporters after landing at the Mangaluru international airport, Siddaramaiah lamented the suicide of four members of an Endosulfan-affected family earlier in the day at Kokkada. "It is unfortunate incident. The state government has already taken up the task of providing package to Endosulfan victims. This incident should not have happened," he said. 

The CM criticised the central government for not releasing enough funds to help the state tide over the drought situation.

"In accordance with the National Disaster Relief Funds norms, the state government had requested the centre to release Rs 4,700 crore as compensation for the drought-affected farmers. However, only Rs 1,782 crore was released, which was not even 50 percent of the funds stipulated under the norms. We had even led an all-party delegation to meet the PM and request for more funds, but he did not show any concern.

"In Karnataka, 139 taluks have been identified as drought-hit and the farmers have incurred a crop loss of Rs 170 lac," he added.

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, MUDA chairman Suresh Ballal among others were present.