Karnataka: Nirmala Sitharaman refutes State Government's allegation on NDRF

Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs of the Government of India, Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the press after a visit to a Jan Aushadhi Centre in Yeshwanthpur. She expressed confidence in the scheme’s outreach. “Over the last nine years, the number of Jan Aushadi Kendras across the country has increased significantly. Close to 1,800 medicines and 285 surgical equipment are available at these centres for up to 70 per cent discount,” she stated. 

She also held a meeting with the Revenue Minister of Karnataka, Byre Gowda with regard to the dispensation of relief for the drought in the rural parts of the state. "An assessment/technical team has made recommendations on drought relief to the high-powered committee. It’s due to the state and will be given. It’s not as if the money won’t come. I keep waiting for the papers but the state doesn’t send them. I can’t send money without the authorization of the accountant general. The state government can throw the allegation but the truth is even before the CM’s letter reached me, it was on social media. The quantum of drought relief is decided by a high-powered committee of the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) headed by the union home minister,” she mentioned.