45 complain of ‘inadequate’ help in Bihar

Jitendra K Shrivastava

Patna, August 22

With their boat stuck in riverine areas of the Ganga on Sunday night, 45 persons complained of inadequate help at the time of crisis.

From Raghopur area of Vaishali district, the victims said they arranged for a boat from Kachchi Dargah ghat of Patna at their own expense after their several attempts to reach the administrative officials turned futile.

The victims, including 25 women and 15 children, boarded a motorboat to move to a safer place but the motor failed to work mid-way, leaving them stranded.

The Raghopur constituency is represented by RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s younger son and Bihar Deputy CM Tejaswi Prasad Yadav. The constituency had been represented by Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi in the past.

Surendra Rai, a victim, said: “We felt helpless on Sunday when our motorboat failed to work before crossing the Ganga as it was raining and some of the children were seriously ill. We tried hard to contact government machinery but our efforts proved futile.”

The Principal Secretary at the Disaster Management Department said: “The state government is promptly involved in relief and rehabilitation work. If any dereliction of duty is reported, stern action will be taken.”

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar claimed that relief and rehabilitation work was on and satisfactory, while food packets were being distributed among the needy.