BJP dares Assam govt to make public flood relief details

Guwahati, Oct 11 (UNI) The BJP today challenged the Congress-led Assam government to disclose the Central assistance received as flood relief, terming the relief a 'sham'.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, ''Floods have badly ravaged Assam this year.

But sadly the relief being given by the state government is a virtual sham.'' He alleged that the relief was highly inadequate and the state government's efforts left much room for questioning the 'sincerity' of the government in helping the flood affected people.

The former Union Minister dared the Assam government to disclose the assistance received from the Centre and said, ''The people of Assam want to know the specified quantum of relief in terms of value and quantity. I challenge the government to disclose it.'' He pointed out that the BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar has made a public announcement of the relief distributed for the flood affected people, including the Centre's assistance.

He said, ''If a neighbouring state, which is equally ravaged by flood, can make public its relief details, why cannot Assam do it?'' he asked. Mr Rudy also mentioned that the Centre's assistance to Bihar had gone up from Rs 150 crore in 2004 to Rs 1112 crore in 2007.

UNI