Centre not initiating talks with Nepal on rivers issue: Mayawati

Lucknow, Jul 1 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today blamed the Centre for not initiating the Government level talks with Nepal government despite the imminent danger of floods in eastern parts of the state from Nepal rivers.

The rivers of Ghagra, Rapti and Gandak always posed threat to eastern and terai regions of Uttar Pradesh but the Centre never held talks with the Nepal government despite repeated requests from the UP government, she told a luncheon-press conference at her official residence this afternoon.

Ms Mayawati said the water released from Nepal rivers caused floods in several districts of Uttar Pradesh and this year was also no exception.

''Despite this, my government has been taking all possible measures to provide relief in flood-hit districts and the chief secretary Atul Kumar Gupta is personally supervising it,'' the UP CM said.

The financial constraint would not be allowed to come in the way of flood relief meaures in the state and all possible arrangements were already underway, she assured.

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