'Lalu Bhojanalayas' in Bihar to feed flood-hit people

New Delhi, Sept 3 (ANI): Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav today said that he was leaving no stone unturned to combat the situation in Bihar which is reeling under the devastating floods, which, according to estimates, have so far marooned around 25 lakh people.

Describing it as a "tsunami", Lalu said that the exact estimate of loss of life and property would be made once the water recedes down.

Undeterred by Opposition's allegations, especially from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, that he was playing politics over floods, Lalu said: "I have opened five Bhojanalayas (food joints) at different places to feed the homeless people. Also the Indian Railways has erected one-kilometer long tents to give shelter to the people."

Announcing that the 14 lakh employees of the Indian Railways had agreed to deduct their one day's salary towards floods relief, he appealed to the media persons to donate their one day's salary for the sake of relief work in Bihar.

"Besides the one crore rupees which I had won the "Panchvi Pass" TV programme, I have donated my one day's salary towards the people of Bihar," he said while addressing media persons at Rail Bhawan.

Reacting to Opposition's charge that he was scoring political points over the ravaging floods in Bihar, he said the floods occurred due to the lapses on the part of the Bihar Government. He said that an official of the Floods Control Department had time and again warned the state government that the Kosi river was flowing at a great current and that there was a risk of a devastating floods, "but the Bihar Government remained in slumber and didn't take corrective measures before the tragedy hit the state.

"They (Bihar Government) are responsible for this devastation, and the people of Bihar are accusing them for the same," he added.

He further said that the exact number of people and cattle that have died in the ravaging floods would be known when flood water recede. "If they are accusing me of playing politics, I must make it clear that the real politics would be there when the bodily remains of the dead would be found," he said.

Lalu said that hordes of people were fleeing the affected part of his state to other places like Punjab, Surat and Delhi. y Pankaj Yadav (ANI)