Bihar: Pappu Yadav seeks Rs 10 lakh compensation for disaster victims

Patna, Oct 14 (IANS) Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav has questioned the Bihar government’s disaster management and relief arrangements following deaths linked to floods, snakebites and boat accidents across the state. 

After meeting Governor Syed Ata Hasnain on Wednesday, he claimed that around 300 people had died in boat incidents in Bihar and demanded that compensation for the families of deceased victims be increased from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

Yadav alleged that several affected families had yet to receive compensation and called for stronger safety measures, faster relief operations and better coordination between the Central and state governments. 

He urged the authorities to review arrangements for the approximately 56 lakh people reportedly affected by floods in Bihar.

Referring to recent boat accidents, Yadav alleged that boats were operating at night without adequate safety arrangements. 

He claimed that several areas faced shortages of life jackets and government-operated boats, and also questioned the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The MP claimed that 40 people had died in Chhapra due to floods this year and referred to reported fatalities in Maker, Panapur, Parsa, Amanour, Taraiya and Bettiah. These figures could not be independently verified.

He called on the administration to strengthen rescue arrangements and ensure that boats operating in flood-affected areas had adequate safety equipment.

Yadav alleged that embankments had breached at around 26 locations across Bihar and raised concerns about possible corruption in construction and maintenance work.

He demanded a high-level inquiry into the work of Shriram Company, Singla and other associated firms, calling for accountability for companies and officials found responsible for failures involving embankments and bridges.

The MP also questioned the closure of the Vikramshila Bridge during the festive season and Durga Puja. 

He urged the authorities to inspect bridges and embankments across the state and take necessary steps to address safety concerns.

Yadav urged the Governor to facilitate coordination between the Central and Bihar governments to review disaster preparedness, relief distribution and rescue operations.

He alleged that officials were not responding adequately during disasters and accidents, while political leaders were more visible during election campaigns. 

He also criticised leaders who, he claimed, were occupied with campaigning for the MLC elections instead of addressing the concerns of affected people.

During the meeting, Yadav also raised issues related to employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth, educational institutions, colleges and recruitment regulations.

He demanded an 80-85 per cent domicile-based reservation policy in employment to give young people from Bihar greater access to jobs. 

He also invited Union Minister Chirag Paswan and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to join forces with him, while claiming that his government would come to power in the future.

After meeting the Governor, Yadav met the families of those killed in the Raghopur boat accident in Vaishali district.

The allegations regarding disaster-related deaths, embankment breaches and construction irregularities require independent verification. Further details about the government’s response to his demands were not immediately available.

--IANS

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