CM dares BJP leaders to debate over 'injustice' by Centre in drought relief

NT Correspondent

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday invited BJP leaders including Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and PM Narendra Modi for an open debate over the issue of release of grants, drought relief and other funds.

Addressing a large gathering where numerous BJP and JD(S) leaders joined the Congress, he asked BJP leaders to stop lying to people over issues pertaining to the state.

His government has not sought release of funds for implementation of the poll guarantees schemes as he had already allocated Rs 36,000 crore in his budget and implemented the guarantees successfully in 2023 -24 fiscal year, the CM said.

His government has also allocated Rs 52,900 crore to continue the poll guarantee schemes for 2024-25 fiscal, Siddaramaiah added.

The sstate has requested the Centre to release drought relief of Rs 18,147 crore as per NDRF guidelines as 226 out 240 taluks are hit by drought and has also asked the Centre to increase MNREGA working days to 150 days from 100 days but the Centre has failed to release a single rupee so far, he said.

The state has also asked the Centre to direct the Food Corporation of India to release rice for the Anna Bhagya free rice distribution scheme.

Siddaramaiah asked voters to defeat the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidates in all 28 parliamentary constituencies for lying to people by not releasing drought relief funds.