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Paswan: Bihar flood relief not reaching people

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Fertilizers and Chemicals and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan has criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the handling of the disaster caused by the Kosi barrage breach.

At his regular press briefings so far, Mr. Paswan has refrained from criticising Mr. Kumar on grounds that the misery to the 40 lakh affected was a humanitarian issue. But with waters beginning to recede, Mr. Paswan wondered where the massive allocation by the Centre had gone and felt the probe ordered by the Bihar Chief Minister was inadequate.

Addressing journalists here on Friday, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief alleged that mishandling of relief work was clear from the fact that even Mr. Kumar’s party leaders from Delhi who visited the affected areas did not say anything in the State government’s favour. The Bihar government-run camps were being badly managed and food was of poor quality. “The Centre has given everything they asked for. But relief is not reaching the people. There must be a high level enquiry into the neglect of lakhs of people,” he demanded.

In view of the misery to the people of Bihar, Mr. Paswan announced the cancellation of the Iftar Party he hosts annually during Ramzan.

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