Patna, Sep 19: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday donated his one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for flood victims, as several other MPs and ministers made similar contributions to aid those hit by the deluge in the state.
A day earlier, BJP president Nitin Nabin said he was donating Rs 6.35 lakh, equivalent to his three months' salary as an MP, to the relief fund.
On Saturday, Choudhary took to social media to say, "As CM, I am contributing my one month's salary to the relief fund to assist the flood-affected families in Bihar."
The BJP's Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiari, who spent years as a singer and actor in the Bhojpuri film industry, has also announced that he would contribute his two months' salary to the fund.
Several other Bihar ministers, MPs and MLAs handed over cheques equivalent to one month's salary each to Choudhary for the CM's Relief Fund.
Choudhary said that the CM's Relief Fund is an important means of assisting people in need. He added that the participation of financially capable members of society can make relief and assistance efforts even more effective.
"I thank all my NDA colleagues, including MPs, MLAs and ministers. All of them have contributed their salaries to the CM Relief Fund. Several others, including private entities and industrial groups, have also made contributions to the CM Relief Fund. I thank everyone for their support and contribution", the chief minister told reporters.
Bihar is grappling with severe flooding, with nearly 49.72 lakh people in 15 districts affected. Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Buxar are among the worst-hit districts.
The Ganga, Kosi, Punpun, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati and Ghaghara rivers were flowing above danger levels at several locations, prompting the administration to operate 303 community kitchens and seven relief camps in the affected areas for around 9,003 people.
Earlier, the Bihar BJP had donated Rs 51 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
State BJP president Sanjay Saraogi handed over the cheque to Choudhary on Friday and said all BJP MPs, MLAs and MLCs in the state would contribute one month's salary to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.
"Every BJP worker stands with affected families during this time of disaster," Saraogi said, describing assistance to flood victims as a collective responsibility.
On Tuesday, Choudhary had transferred Rs 579.23 crore in relief assistance to 8.27 lakh flood-affected families. Each eligible family was provided Rs 7,000, officials said.
