Click to play videoNew Delhi: As the swollen Kosi river continues to wreak havoc in Bihar, politicians are waging wars against rivals and offering several sops to people in flood-affected areas.
State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claims that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Rs 1000-crore flood-relief package is merely a well-planned political move.
“It is an election year. No one should be surprised,” he remarked.
Sharply reacting to the Chief Minister’s statement, Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav described state’s political situation as one beyond Nitish’s control and announced a slew of sops.
Lalu has announced he will donate his one month’s salary, along with one day’s salary of all railway employees to his Railway Minister Relief Fund.
The Railway Minister estimates the total collection will be approximately Rs 70 crore, which will be used for rehabilitation after the floods recede.
Apart from that, one lakh bottles of Rail Neer water will immediately be consigned to the affected areas. One lakh saris and dhotis will be collected and sent to the affected regions.
Among other relief services, Indian Railways will carry passengers from the flood-affected areas free of cost.
“People from flood-hit area will be taken to safer regions free of cost,” Lalu said.
The floods may have claimed lives and rendered thousands homeless, but many say that for the politicians it has come as an opportunity to outshine rivals.
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