Paswan assures full cooperation to Nitish for relief work in Bihar

Patna, Aug 2 (UNI) LJP Chief and Union Minister for Steel,Fertilizer and Chemicals Ramvilas Paswan today suggested Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to initiate for taking an all party delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for relief and rescue operation in the flood affected areas and appealed to the political parties to cooperate in the mission shunning political rivalry.

After a whirl wind tour of the flood affected areas, Mr Paswan told newspersons here that the situation was pathetic and the people were living in horrible condition as they have taken shelter on roads and embankments under the open sky.He lambasted the Nitish Kumar government for neglecting the relief work and suggested him to seriously concentrate on the problems and immediately place the requirements before the Centre.

Mr Paswan said he would also request the PM and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to visit the flood hit areas for first hand assessment of the flood stuation.

Mr Paswan assured to extend financial assistance and supply medicines for the affected people saying that the proper distribution was the states responsibility.

Regarding Mauritius tour of Mr Kumar, he said that such visits could have been deferred as the CM himself was aware with the fact that the period starting from mid June was crucial in terms of floods in the state. Any tour in such circumstances automatically invites criticism by the opposition, he added.

To a query he shared his view points that all ministers from Bihar in the Union cabinet should consult each other on the grim flood situation of the state before giving their reports to the Prime Minister on the situation.Mr Paswan said that he would consult the RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on the matter.

Mr Paswan said that their reports would certainly have an impact and opined that all leaders from Bihar should put joint efforts for the sake of the people of the state.

UNI