Union government must be free of bias and treat all states equally: DyCM

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday, February 3 accused the Union government of bias in its financial aid granted to drought-hit states.

Parameshwara in a tweet commented “Drought relief sought by Karnataka was Rs. 2,434 crore. However, only Rs. 949.49 crore has been approved, while Maharashtra has been given Rs. 4,714.28 crore, The appalling favoritism by the Central government is something that must be condemned by all.” 

In another tweet, Parameshwara alleged “The Union government must be free of bias and treat all states equally. We demand immediate response and measures towards rectifying this. Karnataka must be assisted in managing the drought crisis and helping the farmers.”

It may be recalled that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had accused the Centre of preferential treatment to states in approving drought relief.

On January 29, the Central government had approved funds of Rs. 7,214 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to six states and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which were affected by drought and floods.

Apart from the funds granted to Karnataka and Maharashtra for drought, Rs. 900.40 crore was approved for Andhra Pradesh as drought relief, Rs. 127.60 crore to Gujarat for drought, Rs. 317.44 crore for Himachal Pradesh for floods and landslides, Rs. 13.09 crore to Puducherry which faced cyclone and Rs. 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh for floods.