MPs should contribute from MPLAD for Bihar flood relief:BJP

New Delhi, Sept 2 (UNI) Drawing a parallel between the tsunami and the unrelenting flood situation in Bihar, the BJP today said parliamentarians should contribute to the relief fund and sought a one-time exemption of the stipulation that MPs can not utilise MPLAD money outside their constituencies.

The suggestion came from BJP President Rajnath Singh who wanted the concession, similar to what was allowed follwing the Gujarat earthquake and the tsunami. The floods in Bihar were similar and a relaxation of MPLAD rules was urgently called for, Mr Singh wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In a separate statement, BJP spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar Ravishankar Prasad also appealed to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to see that MPs from other states contributed from their MPLAD fund.

Mr Prasad also announced a donation of Rs 25 lakh from his MPLAD fund to Bihar Chief Minister's Relief Fund to help mitigate the suffering of the people of the state.

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