Bangalore, Oct 12 (IANS) A group of sex workers in Karnataka Monday donated Rs.50,000 to help north Karnataka flood victims, a move that prompted Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to say the gesture is worth Rs.50 crore (Rs.500 million).

"Thank you, friends," Yeddyurappa said accepting the cheque at a function where sex workers inaugurated a centre they will run with the help of UNAIDS and an NGO to prevent spread of HIV-AIDS.

"This amount has come from the marginisalised section of the society. I am hugely touched. This is not just Rs 50,000, but is more than Rs.50 crore for the flood victims," Yeddyurappa told sex workers.

"I promise to return this kind gesture in future," he added.

Yeddyurappa went on 'padyatra' (foot march) last week in different parts of Bangalore to raise funds for rehabilitation of over a million people who were left homeless due to rains and flash floods in 15 of the state's 19 districts. The drive has raised around Rs.700 crore.

Yeddyurappa was present at the inauguration of the Ashodaya Academy, a regional centre on HIV-AIDS to be run by the sex workers themselves to prevent the spread of the disease.

Though the centre is located in Mysore, about 140 km from here, the inaugural ceremony was held in Bangalore.

"At a time when the entire state is mourning the death and devastation caused by floods in north Karnataka, the sex workers who are part of our organisation have contributed the money," said Bhagyalakshmi, secretary of Ashodaya Samiti.