Guv raps BJP govt in Karna over flood relief; CM disagrees

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today rapped the BJP government over rehabilitation work in the state's flood-hit northern districts, but Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa disagreed with his view and asserted that relief work was underway on a "war-footing".

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today rapped the BJP government over rehabilitation work in the state's flood-hit northern districts, but Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa disagreed with his view and asserted that relief work was underway on a "war-footing".

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Bhardwaj said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did an aerial survey of affected districts and announced an aid of Rs 1,000 crore, "but nothing has been done" by the state government."

"You (the state government) have to work. People are watching you curiously," Bhardwaj told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

"You should know that I am disappointed that the community has not been helped," he said.

Yeddyurappa disagreed with Bhardwaj and said rehabilitation of people in flood-hit areas was in progress on a "war-footing" with the support of private initiatives.

The government has taken up rehabilitation work in an "unprecedented manner", he told reporters adding it had released Rs 1,500 crore of which Rs 1,200 crore has been spent.

Bhardwaj said in a country like India there was no dearth of funds to take up rehabilitation and offered to go himself to Delhi to press the Centre for more money if required.

Yeddyurappa said he was ready to accompany the Governor to the national capital to seek more funds.

Bhardwaj had earlier raised the hackles of the BJP government when he made some critical remarks about the law and order situation.