Lalu blames NDA govt for ''power crisis'' in Bihar

Gaya, Jan 16 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today blamed the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar for the unprecedented ''power crisis'' in the state saying the NDA government had failed to ensure its fair distribution despite power being made available from the Central pool.

Mr Prasad told reporters here on way to Puri that severe power crisis could be easily averted if the NDA government ensured fair distribution of power being made available to the state by the Central pool.

''Despite low availability of power from the Central pool during the RJD regime in Bihar, people used to get electricity 22 hours a day. But they are forced to spend harrowing time for want of power due to mismanagement by the NDA government,'' he claimed.

He charged the Chief Minister with adopting ''indifferent'' approach towards acquisition of land for railway projects.

''The inordinate delay by the NDA government in making available required land for several railway projects has led to escalation of its execution cost besides, affecting the interests of people in the area concerned,'' Mr Prasad said.

''The Bihar government is yet to provide the required land for Nabinagar power project despite repeated requests by the Centre,'' he said adding the state government had also failed to utilise funds released to the state by the Centre for execution of various developmental and welfare schemes.

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