TUMAKURU: In astonishing criticism at the Centre, chief minister

, in the presence of Prime Minister

at a public function in Tumakuru on Thursday, openly expressed his displeasure over its indifference in releasing financial relief for flood victims of the state.

“I have personally drawn the attention of the Prime Minister on three or four occasions to the large-scale damage caused by floods in

,” Yediyurappa said in Kannada at the event attended by PM Modi. “No additional assistance has reached the state till now. Today, I again request the PM to release relief funds immediately,” he said to huge applause from the gathering.

The chief minister was speaking at a function to release the third instalment of Rs 2,000 each to farmers under the Prime Minister Kisan Samman scheme and presentation of Krishi Karman awards in Tumakuru.

The CM went on to say he will send a delegation of ministers and the chief secretary to meet Modi at Raj Bhavan (where he stayed on Thursday night), to apprise the PM on the damage, relief and rehabilitation work that must be taken up and the support the state needs from the Centre.

Karnataka has pegged the loss due to floods at Rs 38,000 crore. The Centre released interim relief of Rs 1,200 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after a big hue and cry and promised another Rs 1,600 crore.

Yediyurappa also urged the Centre to focus on a remunerative price for farm produce and water to irrigate fields. “When hit by natural calamities, farmers can manage on their own if the government ensured a remunerative price for produce and water for their fields,” Yediyurappa said. “The PM’s resolve of doubling farmers’ income by 2023 will remain a resolve if farmers do not get a scientific price for their produce.”

He also requested Modi for Rs 50,000 crore to complete irrigation projects pending for decades. Modi did not respond to Yediyurappa’s demands though the audience was curious to hear from him.

The Congress used Yediyurappa’s jibes to attack the PM. “You did not visit Karnataka when it was devastated by floods, you did not visit Karnataka when our farmers cried for help, but all of a sudden, when you want to launch your political propaganda, you remember the innocent people of Karnataka. Wah Modi Wah!!” Congress leader

tweeted.