Amit Shah surveys flood-hit Karnataka amid Opposition claims of inept relief work

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday conducted an aerial survey in the flood-ravaged areas of Karnataka along with the state’s Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa amid Opposition's claims of inept relief works in the absence of council of ministers. The southern state is reeling under unprecedented floods since last week. The deluge has claimed 31 lives and misplaced over 4 lakh to in 80 Taluks of 17 districts in Karnataka.

Almost all the rivers in Karnataka are overflowing due to heavy rains. The worst affected districts are Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Raichur, Yadigir, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu.

The government has assessed that 21,431 houses and crops in 4.16 lakh hectares had been damaged in the floods following heavy rains. The overflowing river waters inundated several areas in Bantwal with the affected people, including the family of former union minister Janardhana Pujari, being rescued.

Meanwhile, the Opposition in Karnataka has alleged lack of proper relief works in the absence of a full-fledged government with dedicated ministers. A fortnight has passed since the BJP seized the power in Karnataka and BS Yediyurappa became the chief minister but the council of ministers has not been chosen yet.

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While Yediyurappa confronted the criticism over his failure to form a Cabinet, saying that every MLA is a minister, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has ridiculed his statement. "It’s an irresponsible statement that MLAs are working like ministers as they can't take on the spot decisions."

Siddaramaiah feels if there were district in-charge ministers, revenue minister, finance minister, agriculture minister, cooperation minister and various other ministers, it would have been convenient for the people of the state. "I dont know how a single man can handle so much. It is humanly impossible," he added.