Bihar Governor donates one month salary for flood vicitms

Patna, Aug 09 (UNI) Describing the current fury of flood as ''unprecedented'', Bihar Governor R S Gavai today donated Rs 36,000, his one month salary, to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and appealed to all others to contribute generously.

Stating that the state government with its limited resources was trying its best to reach succour to the flood-affected people of North Bihar, the Governor, however, agreed that proper and effective relief operation began only after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's return from Mauritius.

'' As the head of the state, I consider it is my moral obligation to start the ball rolling and as such contributed my one month's salary for the hapless poor, '' the Govenor said and urged all to come forward and donate generously in the Chief Minister's relief Fund for the flood-hit millions.

Expressing sorrow at the loss of more than 100 lives in the flood, the Governor also appealed to all political parties to forget their differencs and join hands in providing relief to the affected.

'' It is not the time to criticise one another and find out their faults, but to join hands to come to the aid of the poor and the helpless, '' the Governor observed.

He said following the recent visit of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil, the Centre was expected to announce a major financial package for the flood-affected 14 million people of the state.

Asked whether he himself would personally monitor the distribution of relief materials and the use of fund following allegaion of ''largescale corruption and lackadaisical attitude'' of government servants, the Governor said he had full faith in the capability of the state administration and if necessary he might seek daily report from the concerned authorities.

Asked whether he would visit the flood-ravaged districts as the water level had started receding in most of the areas, the Governor replied in the affirmative.

UNI