July
2002
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Rajya Sabha MP wants to contribute Rs. 1 crore towards Gujarat relief
June 16, 2002 Dear Prime Minister Under MPLADS every MP is entitled to an allocation of Rs. 2
crore per year for development works in his constituency or state. However,
the Rules were relaxed to permit allocation by MPs under MPLADS for the
victims of the Gujarat earthquake last year and of the Orissa cyclone in the
year before. Similar relaxation may now be permitted for the benefit of the
victims of the recent Gujarat holocaust. If the rules are relaxed most MPs would like to utilise a
substantial part of their allocation under MPLADS for this noble purpose. A
contribution by a large number of Parliamentarians will motivate the people of
the country to also contribute for this worthy cause. I also urge you to kindly issue an appeal to all our
countrymen to donate generously for this cause on the same lines of the
appeals issued by you at the time of the Gujarat earthquake and the Orissa
cyclone. The above becomes necessary since the state government has not
yet taken effective steps in this matter. The recommendations of the National
Human Rights Commission including those relating to relief and rehabilitation
are not being implemented effectively. May I, therefore, request you to direct the state government
to take the following measures urgently: i) The compensation for the damaged/burnt/destroyed houses
should be paid as per the norms adopted for the earthquake victims; ii) The compensation for Ghat Vakhri (compensation for
burnt/looted household articles) should be a minimum of Rs.20,000. iii) Immediate allotment of house sites to enable the victims
to relocate themselves with honour and dignity. iv) Involving housing finance institutions like HUDCO, NHB,
CANFIN Homes, LIC etc. to advance loans liberally with minimum paperwork and
at nominal interest rates. The repayment period should be spread over a period
of 20 years and it should begin after three years from the date of
construction of the house. With personal regards, EDUARDO FALEIRO MP, Rajya Sabha Editors: As we go to press, Faleiro who has just returned
from a tour to Turkey, told CC that all that he has so far got from the PMO in
response to his letter is a formal acknowledgement. Meanwhile, a number of
party leaders and MPs whom CC spoke to supported Faleiro’s initiative,
especially in view of the fact that neither the governments in New Delhi and
Gujarat, nor India Inc. have been particularly forthcoming in providing
succour to the survivors of the genocide in Gujarat. Many felt that a
substantial contribution from parliamentarians, would provide the badly needed
emotional balm, apart from relief and rehabilitation in physical terms. "It’s a very good idea and we should all support it," said the
independent Rajya Sabha MP, Kuldip Nayar, adding that such a step would be a
most welcome departure in parliament history. The problem in Gujarat is so
colossal that what the government has done so far is a mere drop in the ocean,
he said. "I am sure a lot of MPs will like to contribute to this effort once a
decision is taken in this regard," he added. Stating that not all MPs might be
willing to contribute Rs 1 crore out of the funds at their disposal, even Rs.
10 lakh per MP (5 per cent of the funds at their disposal), the contribution
from 850 MPs from the two houses could add up to a substantial Rs. 85 crore. "The BJP will not be enthusiastic about such and idea. It
could work only if party leaders take it up seriously with the government,"
said an MP from the Samajwadi Party, adding that he would gladly push the case
within his own party if the Congress top brass took a lead in the matter. "It is definitely a good idea and we will certainly pursue the
matter," Sitaram Yechuri, CPI(M) politburo member told CC when contacted for
his response. Meanwhile, not content with a mere acknowledgement of his
earlier letter to the PM, Faleiro intends to follow up his earlier letter with
a fresh missive arguing that his suggestion should be acted upon especially
considering that a substantial amount of the MPLADS funds remains unutilised
by many MPs. |