UNI

Bangalore, Nov 7: The Karnataka Government will seek additional assistance of Rs 500 Crore from the Center for drought relief works in the affected places in the State, deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa said on Monday.

He said that so far the Center has released only Rs 250 Crores for drought relief works.

Yediyurappa was speaking to newsmen before a review meeting of BJP Legislators and Ministers convened by him to elicit their opinions on implementation of various welfare programmes and projects taken up since last eight months of the BJP-JD(S) Coalition government assuming the office.

He said that the State government has devised a permanent solution to ensure rehabilitation of the people living in flood prone areas in Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga and Raichur districts in Krishna river basin and seeks additional funds from the Centre.

Replying to a question, he said that based on the opinion received in today's meeting corrective measures would be taken for effective implementation of various programmes and projects.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the progress of Bhagyalakshmi Programme, under which Rs 10,000 would be deposited by the Government in the name of a girl child born, Yediyurappa alleged that though 70,000 girl children have been identified the progress made was far from satisfaction mainly due to procedural wrangles and indifferent attitude of the officials.