Monday, August 1 2005 16:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka government today (August 1, 2005) said district authorities had been asked to take up relief works in full swing in flood-hit districts, especially in northern parts of the State.

Making a statement in the Assembly, Revenue Minister, M P Prakash said two Defence helicopters had been pressed into service in the affected areas and funds would be no constraint for relief measures.

Prakash said, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and Water Resources Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and he himself would undertake an on-the-spot study of the situation tomorrow.

He said, district officials had been asked to send reports on the crop loss and the extent of damage caused by floods and a memorandum would be submitted to the Centre for relief.

Prakash said the central guidelines on providing relief under such circumstances were "unscientific and impractical".

He said in Belgaum district alone, some 81 villages were affected, causing a crop loss of Rs 30 crore and 12 deaths. Prakash said the district officials had been told to camp at the spot and monitor the relief works.