Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Sullia, Oct 19: Reacting to Chief Minister Yeddyurappa's statement that the state is still waiting for funds the centre had promised earlier, union minister for foreign affairs, S M Krishna, said that the union government would be able to release the funds on priority for the relief operations meant for the flood victims, only after the receipt of a specific request from the state, coupled with a report. He was addressing the press persons during his visit to Kukke Sri Subrahmanya temple in the taluk on Sunday October 18, for offering special puja and Tulabhara services to Lord Subrahmanya.

It may be recalled that Yeddyurappa had hit back at the opposition leaders, who have been criticizing the state government for its unsatisfactory handling of the flood situation, while speaking at Koppal, by claiming that the central government is yet to release any funds out of the money it had promised earlier. "The opposition leaders seem to be unaware of this reality," he quipped. He claimed that the state government has so far spent a sum of Rs 1,000 crore on its own towards the relief operations. He also said that an all-party delegation will be taken to Delhi to present the state's case, in response to a letter received from the Prime Minister in this respect. He exhorted the government officers engaged in relief work not to turn a blind eye to the sufferings of the people and reach out to the doorsteps of the people to disburse the assistance they might require. He asked the victims not to pay any bribe for the relief amount, either in cash or kind, they will be receiving.

Krishna further said that the central government will be releasing the funds only after an all-party delegation meets the Prime Minister as well as the union finance minister, and submits a detailed report on the flood situation.