Modhwadia accuses Modi govt of siphoning off funds

Gandhinagar, Mar 30 (UNI) Leader of opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Arjun Modhwadia today alleged that the ruling BJP government has siphoned off relief and rehabilitation package meant for victims of communal violence and floods.

Making a submission in the assembly, Mr Modhwadia said,''For the relief and rehabilitation of victims of 2002 communal violence in Gujarat, the Central government had granted the package of Rs 150 crore, of which the state government had siphoned off Rs 19 crore.

It is a sheer injustice to 1,179 victims who had lost their lives and 4,500 who were seriously injured in the violence.'' ''Even for the 59 victims in Godhra train burning incident, the government has not declared any package,'' said Mr Modhwadia.

''Apart from victims of communal violence, the government has done injustice to the victims of floods as well. After the floods of 2005-06, the Central government had granted aid of Rs 500 crore of which the state government had siphoned off Rs 213. Similarly, of Rs 792 crore package declared for the victims of 2006-07 Surat floods by the Central government, the state government had used just Rs 50 crore,'' added Mr Modhwadia.

Accusing Modi government of splurging funds from the government's coffers, Mr Modhwadia said,''In the name of making Navratri festival an international event, the Modi government has spent Rs 12 crore, while nothing has been spent for the poor in the state.'' Later, Congress legislators led by Mr Modhwadia submitted a memorandum to Governor Naval Kishor Sharma, requesting him not to sign 18 bills passed in last three days in the house, since they were not given proper consideration nor mentioned in the Governor's inaugural speech.

UNI