Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi this evening.

Mr Shettar, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa left here in the morning to brief the Prime Minister over the prevailing drought conditions in the state and seek immediate assistance from the Centre. He would be meeting Dr Singh at 1900 hrs, sources in the Chief Minister's secretariat said here.

The Karnataka government has already submitted a memorandum assessing the damage to the tune of Rs 6000 due to drought prevailing in more than 123 taluks of the total 175 taluks in the State and had sought assistance from the Centre.

The state is also facing sever power problem and functioning of many major power plants including Raichur Thermal Plant has been badly affected due to non availability of coal. Commissioning of Bellary II unit was held up due to want of Coal.

During his stay, the Chief Minister will also call on several Union Ministers to discuss the state's pending projects.

This was Mr Shettar's first visit to Prime Minister after taking over the reigns from Mr D V Sadananda Gowda on July 12.