Crop loss: Siddu debunks government

BANGALORE: : Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah debunked the state government’s claim on crop loss due to the prevailing drought in the state.He addressed the media here on Friday that that the loss is over `20,000 crore, in absolute variance with the state government’s assessment of `4,500 crore.“The prevailing drought is the worst the state has seen in the last four decades... people in affected regions are suffering from acute water shortage and are unable to provide fodder for their cattle heads,” he elucidated.He dubbed the government’s response to the situation as apathetic and averred that people of such areas are not feeling the presence of any governance.He countered the Chief Minister’s claim that sufficient grants have been released to tackle the drought, adding that it will suffice only to meet the drinking water requirements.“The state has not even bothered to utilise the Central grants released from employment guarantee schemes. A lack of motivation from the government has led to a collapse of administration at the grassroots  level,” Siddaramaiah said.He said that the Congress leaders who have undertaken a tour of drought-hit areas would submit a report to party president Sonia Gandhi when she visits Tumkur later this month. Siddaramaiah also charged the state government of not bothering to approach the prime minister seeking release of additional grants from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). He also hinted at the UPA government’s plan to announce a `1,000-crore national package for the benefit of weavers and sericulture farmers. “The move would help the weaving and silk industry immensely.”