Nitish Kumar avoiding responsibilities over AES, floods in Bihar: Rabri Devi

Patna: In the wake of encephalitis crisis and flood in the state, former Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi on Sunday barraged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with a series of questions and accused him of avoiding responsibility.

"There is encephalitis breakout, drought, and floods in the state but Chief Minister Nitish Kumar avoids responsibility by the blaming nature. Who is responsible for the scandals worth crores of rupees in the name of dam construction to avoid floods," Devi said in a series of tweets.

Two people have died so far due to floods, which have affected at least 6 districts in the state.

"Water in most of the rivers in North Bihar has crossed the danger level marks but the government is busy blaming nature instead of carrying out rescue and relief operations. They are not concerned about the public. All they want to do is hand out freebies. People are in distress," Devi, who is also the leader of the Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council, wrote in another tweet.

There is an Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) crisis going on in the state due to which 176 children have lost their lives. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to their families.

Raising alarm over the lack of farsighted efforts of the Nitish government, Devi said: "What are the concrete steps the Nitish government has taken in its 14-year term to resolve the annual flooding issue? How much money has been spent?"

"In the amount of money that has been spent every year in the name of relief, rescue and rehabilitation, the issue itself could have been resolved," Devi added.