BANGALORE, Oct 15 (The Hindu): Leaders of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council Siddaramaiah and V.S. Ugrappa on Wednesday criticised the State government for its failure to utilise the Central relief of around Rs. 4,000 crore in cash and kind for alleviating the sufferings of the flood-ravaged people in 15 districts in the State and sought a legislature session for highlighting the urgent needs of the victims.

Speaking to presspersons after the Congress Legislature Party meeting, the leaders said that the meeting passed a resolution thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for releasing Rs. 1,000 crore to the State. They said that the State government had not utilised one lakh tonnes of rice, 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 50 kilolitres of kerosene and other relief materials meant for distribution among the affected people.

Even after 14 days of the floods, Siddaramiah said, sheds had not been put up and farmers’ loan and interest had not been waived nor fresh loans announced for the rabi crops. Minister and officers were not personally monitoring the relief works. The Congress legislators and leaders were told to help people get facilities and even agitate, if there was discrimination on party or communal lines.

Objection

Siddaramaiah took objection to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s statement that he would tax the rich, which was impractical as he was not collecting income tax. In fact, the government was planning to impose high VAT and sales tax.