Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the state government has not received a single rupee from the Central Government to take up drought relief works in the state.Speaking with media persons after garlanding the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the occasion of his 121 birth anniversary at the West Gate of Vidhana Soudha, the chief minister said the most parts of the state are reeling under severe drought but the state government has not received funds from the Central Government despite latter’s announcement of sanctioning Rs 1782.44 crore to take up drought relief works. “We have submitted a memorandum to the Central Government on October 27, 2016 seeking funds for drought relief works but we received only assurances till now. Providing funds to take up drought relief works is the responsibility of the Central Government. Sanctioning funds to the state government by the Central Government is not like giving alms. The Centre should release funds for drought relief works as per the guidelines of 14th Finance Commission,’’ the chief minister said.

The chief minister recalled how the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had not only announced sanctioning of Rs 2,000 crore as drought relief and took measures to release the funds in 2009. “I want the Opposition leaders, instead of criticizing the state government, should apply pressure on the Central Government to release funds for drought relief works,’’ the chief minister said.

State govt for Kambala

The chief minister said the state government was in favour of organizing Kambala, a traditional annual buffalo race in marshy fields in coastal districts. When asked about the proposed protest by pro-Kambala activists in Mangaluru, the chief minister said the Central Government should also support Kambala on par with Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. “Our government is in favour of Kambala,’’ he said.