Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently touring Karnataka, to announce drought relief compensation in the State itself, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on February 11 accused the Centre of causing inordinate delay in release of drought relief funds. The State, which has declared drought in 223 taluks, has sought a total compensation of ₹18,172 crore, including ₹4,663 crore under NDRF to compensate crop loss. The Revenue Minister asked Mr. Shah to consider the situation seriously, and take an immediate decision on the issue of drought compensation. “It is a sensitive issue and for the welfare of the people. The compensation under NDRF is a State’s right and the constitutional obligation of the Centre. We are not asking for help or charity.” The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders should convince the Centre to release the compensation immediately, he said, failing which the public would think that the two parties are not in favour of their welfare. “It has been four-and-a-half months since …