By IANS,
Ahmedabad : Gujarat has offered Rs. 50 million to Bihar for flood relief efforts and was also providing boats and ambulances, Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rameshwar Prashad Chaurasia said here Tuesday.
Addressing mediapersons here, Chaurasia said that about three million people have been affected by the floods.
He added that the Rs.10 billion aid announced by the central government was “only a pittance” as “at least Rs.50,000 crore (Rs.500 billion)” were needed for reconstruction efforts.
Chaurasia, who is in Gujarat for past three days, thanked the Gujarat government for the aid.
BJP spokesperson and former Gujarat industry minister I.K. Jadeja said that two trains with relief material were leaving for Bihar.
Jadeja added that relief materials for flood victims were coming from all over Gujarat.
“For the last 50 years we are pleading to the Centre for a permanent solution to the flood problem,” Chaurasia said.
“It is not Kosi alone that is our cause of worry but other rivers too. During Vajpayee’s time linking of rivers was mooted. If such a project takes place Nepal, which has water problem, can get water for irrigation and we would be free from this sort of calamity,” he said.