WB Gov chips in to help poor flood victims

Midnapore, Aug 22: It seemed to the poor and flood-devastated people of Sabang that West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi had arrived as a 'messiah' for them, when he visited the Lodha and Sabar tribes in Uchitpur and Vasantpur villages in the district.

Putimoni Murmo (26), a Lodha girl, was making broomsticks when the Governor spotted her yesterday. He purchased a couple of broomsticks but the girl refused to accept the money from him.

The Governor tried to persuade the girl, saying that as it was the only source of livelihood for the family, she must accept the money.

He also asked District Magistrate N S Nigam to persuade her, but she refused. The Governor then entered her house, destroyed by the flood, and persuaded her family members to take a hundred-rupee note.

He also expressed deep regret at the fact that these flood-devastated people had not recieved any financial help.

''I would take up the issue with the state government to provide the relief within ten days,'' he said and asked the DM to ensure that the funds were distributed properly amongst the flood victims.

UNI