Wednesday, December 29 2004 15:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Government decided to contribute Rs 15 crore to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund earmarked for taking up relief work in regions hit by Tsunami killer wave, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said today (Dec 29, 2004).

In addition, State Government employees have assured to contribute for the Fund their one-day salary that works out to around Rs 14 crore, he told reporters in Bangalore.

The State Government had already announced financial assistance of Rs 5.5 crore to the affected regions. Ministers, and legislators of the Congress and JD-S (Janata Dal - Secular) will contribute one month's salary, officials said.

The Chief Minister said that at least 86 people from Karnataka who were on visit outside the State have perished in the tragedy. The Government had already announced that Rs one lakh each would be given to the next of kin of these victims.

Singh said that 22 tonnes of food materials have also been sent by ship to Sri Lanka, worst hit in the disaster.

He said the damage in Uttara Kannada district in Tsunami wave is put at Rs one crore. Many boats were damaged. 5,000 people in the region who left their homes in the wake of Tsunami have since returned to their dwellings.