Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

PM Modi's Rs 1.25 lakh crore Bihar package Angers Nitish

Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Aug, 2015 10:36 AM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs.1.25 lakh crore package for election-bound Bihar and attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his "arrogance" in returning money meant for victims of the 2008 Kosi floods.
     
    Shortly After Modi ended his campaign speech attended by thousands at Ara town, Nitish Kumar accused the prime minister of spreading falsehood and insisted the money was Bihar's right and not a favour.
     
    After laying the foundation stones for 10 road projects, Modi told the rally that the package would change the face of Bihar and urged the people to vote the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the assembly polls. 
     
    The prime minister said Rs.40,000 crore unspent from an earlier aid package to the state would also be given, taking the total central assistance to Rs.1.65 lakh crore.
     
    Modi recalled that before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, he had promised a special package of Rs.50,000 crore to Bihar. "But looking at the dreams of a prosperous Bihar, it was later to give a bigger package."
     
    Modi accused Nitish Kumar of playing political games and of getting only Rs.12,000 crore for Bihar from the previous Congress-led UPA government.
     
    He also challenged Nitish Kumar's claim that Bihar was no longer a 'BIMBARU' state. 
     
    "Our chief minister turned very angry and said who is Modi to call Bihar a BIMARU state. He said with authority that Bihar is no longer a BIMARU state. If that's true, I will be the happiest person."
     
    Later, addressing another rally in Saharsa district, Modi again targeted Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal-United leader and the BJP's arch foe in the election. "The chief minister returned the money given to help the people affected by the Kosi floods. It hurt me."
     
    "At the time of the Kosi tragedy, an arrogant leader was not worried about the pain and suffering of the flood victims," Modi said. 
     
    Miffed over advertisements featuring him and then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and referring to the aid provided by Gujarat during the 2008 floods, Nitish Kumar returned the Rs.5 crore given for the purpose.
     
    Modi said the fear of a return of 'jungle raj' was rattling Bihar. "A wind for change is blowing in Bihar. It favours the BJP-led NDA."
     
    Nitish Kumar raised questions about Modi's package for Bihar.
     
    "While I will wait to hear the details of the so-called package announced by Modi, I emphasise (that) special assistance is our right and not a favour," he tweeted.
     
    And he said if had to beg for Bihar's development, he would not mind doing it.
     
    Modi said the central government was formulating special schemes to empower women and Other Backward Classes in the state. He even spoke a few lines in Bhojpuri language while greeting the people. 
     
    Modi was earlier received at the Patna airport by Governor Ram Nath Kovind and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He laid the foundation stone of a four-lane road connecting Patna and Buxar.
     
    All private schools in Ara were closed on Monday and Tuesday due to restrictions on plying of school buses on several routes through the town and for security reasons.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Monsoon Tourism Takes Off In India In A Big Way

    Monsoon Tourism Takes Off In India In A Big Way
    Sachin and Shikha Sharma were told by their friends not to travel during the monsoon. But the couple, who got married last August, wanted to again visit their honeymoon destination Goa - this time during the monsoon to enjoy the rain.

    Monsoon Tourism Takes Off In India In A Big Way

    Bio-Waste Dumped Near Rohingya Refugee Camp in Delhi, Children Affected

    Bio-Waste Dumped Near Rohingya Refugee Camp in Delhi, Children Affected
    Safdarjung Hospital medical superintendent Rajpal told IANS that the hospital did not have any role in the dumping of bio-medical waste generated as the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and the DPCC looked after the entire operation.

    Bio-Waste Dumped Near Rohingya Refugee Camp in Delhi, Children Affected

    RCAF Gets New Top Gun As Iraqi Bombing Campaign Kicks Into High Gear

    RCAF Gets New Top Gun As Iraqi Bombing Campaign Kicks Into High Gear
    Lt.-Gen. Michael Hood assumed the post today in a colourful ceremony at the Canadian Aviation Museum that included a 100-person honour guard.

    RCAF Gets New Top Gun As Iraqi Bombing Campaign Kicks Into High Gear

    Singapore Building Agency Keen To Join India's Smart City Project

    Singapore Building Agency Keen To Join India's Smart City Project
    The state-run Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore on Thursday said it wants to associate with the Indian government's Smart City project.

    Singapore Building Agency Keen To Join India's Smart City Project

    First Suvidha Train To Start From Delhi On Monday

    First Suvidha Train To Start From Delhi On Monday
    The railway ministry on Wednesday said the first Suvidha train, to replace the existing Premium trains, will start from here on Monday.

    First Suvidha Train To Start From Delhi On Monday

    Top Police Officers Were Discouraged From Acting Against 1984 Rioters: Book

    Top Police Officers Were Discouraged From Acting Against 1984 Rioters: Book
    Some of the most dramatic police action came from additional deputy commissioner Maxwell Pereira, who ordered firing outside Sisganj gurdwara on the morning of November 1. 

    Top Police Officers Were Discouraged From Acting Against 1984 Rioters: Book