EXPRESS NEWS SERVICEKarnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday refuted charges that the administration in the state, including flood relief work in northern parts, had come to a standstill due to the uncertainty over the October 3 transfer of power from the Janata Dal (Secular) to the BJP. Countering charges levelled by the opposition Congress that the coalition government had failed to utilise resources for flood relief and abandoned development activities, Kumaraswamy said his government had not only fully used the Central allocation for flood relief but also granted Rs 120 crore from the state's own resources. According to state government estimates, heavy rain in north Karnataka has caused floods in 14 districts, leaving 41 people dead and over 72,000 houses damaged. Standing crop on 2.42 lakh hectare of land has been damaged while 213 villages are inundated. While Kumaraswamy has blamed the Centre for not providing adequate resources to the state, the Congress has accused the administration of being pre-occupied with the issue of power transfer. On Sunday, following a review of the flood situation, Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil had assured all help to the Karnataka Government. The state submitted two memoranda seeking a total of Rs 5,500 crore in assistance for flood relief. The state Government has utilised the resources available to it in setting up relief centres, where medicines, clothes and basic amenities are being provided, Kumaraswamy said. A compensation of Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses and Rs 50,000 for completely damaged houses has also been announced, he said. Kumaraswamy quoted a letter written by former Congress chief minister Dharam Singh to illustrate the fact that Central allocations for flood relief are inadequate. Reading the letter written by Singh seeking more funds for flood relief during his tenure as chief minister, Kumaraswamy said the Central grant of Rs 530 crore was inadequate. "Those who have been creating a hue and cry over relief and rehabilitation for the flood-affected people have not extended support to the suggestion of postponement of the urban and local body elections on September 28," he noted. All parties are currently in election mode for the urban local body polls. However there are fears that a majority of the electorate will not be able to cast votes due to the floods.
