Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced an assistance of over Rs 90 crore from the Railway Minister Relief Fund (RMRF) to flood victims in Bihar where rover Kosi is in spate affecting more than 20 lakh people in the state.
"I will donate my one month salary as well Rs 1 crore that I got from a TV show. All railway employees (14 lakh) will also contribute their one day salary, "Prasad told reporters here today, a day ahead of his visit to the flood hit areas.
Besides all PSUs under Railways will contribute to the fund, which will be distributed among the flood victims after the rescue work is over and people come back to villages," Prasad said appealing everybody to donate generously to the RMRF.
Concor, IRCON, and RITEs will contribute Rs 5 crore each, IRCTC, IRFC and Railtel Rs 2 crore each and Kutch Railway, Rail Development Corporation and Dedicated Freight Corridor Rs 25 lakh each to the fund.
Taking note of shortage of drinking water in the affected areas, the Railway Minister announced the dispatch 25 railway tankers carrying potable water and one lakh bottles of 'Rail Neer' immediately.
Besides, the Women Welfare wing of the Railways has promised to donate one lakh saris and dhotis each among the flood victims.
The Railway minister informed that additional trains to rescue people trapped in the flood are being run free of cost in the affected areas.
"These relief trains are being run from August 22, which include six trains each between Saharsa-Madhepura and Purnea-Banmankhi, four between Saharsa-Patna and two between Samastipur and Saharsa," Prasad said.
