Bagalkot:
Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on Friday urged the central government to announce Rs 5,000 crore interim package for taking up relief works in drought-affected areas in Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters in Bagalkot, he accused the central study team of not making sincere efforts to know the ground situation existing in drought-affected areas.
"Karnataka is facing a severe drought situation since 1971 and all horticulture crops have been fully damaged," Mr Yeddyurappa said.
He also urged all leaders belonging to various political parties to unite and put pressure on the central government to release necessary funds to take up drought relief works.
Mr Yeddyurappa asked the central government to extend special pilot scheme for distributing ration to all drought affected districts of the state. "I will submit a report to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on the prevailing drought situation," he added.