By IANS,
New Delhi : Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, whose administration has declared nearly half of Karnataka drought-hit, acknowledged Saturday that providing relief was the primary responsibility of the state government.
“Providing relief to the drought-hit is the primary responsibility of the state government though we will seek central government’s help,” he told reporters here on arrival to attend a function of his Bharatiya Janata Party.
Gowda said funds would not be a problem in taking up relief operations.
The state government had declared 84 of the state’s 176 taluks (revenue sub-divisions) as drought-hit.
On Oct 4, it declared 70 taluks as hit by lack of rains creating drought situation. On Friday it added 14 more taluks.
Gowda said Rs.40 crore has been already released and over Rs.120 crore was with the district administrations to take up immediate work of providing drinking water, fodder for cattle and other livestock and food grain supply.