SAD-BJP MLAs to give one month salary for Uttarakhand victims

CHANDIGARH: MLAs belonging to ruling SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab today decided to donate one month's salary for relief and rehabilitation of victims in Uttarakhand.

An official spokesman said, legislators took the decision following an appeal from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal earlier in the day.

Badal has convened an emergency meeting of the state cabinet here on Monday evening "to review and expedite relief measures for hapless victims of Uttarakhand flood tragedy."

The Chief Minister is spearheading relief operations with round the clock response, vigil and feedback mechanism, the spokesman said.

SAD and BJP workers have set up a network of langar and on-the-spot relief camps for victims, he said adding, a dedicated fleet of over 200 buses are being pressed into service for safe transit of pilgrims and others who are evacuated from various far-flung flood affected areas.

More than 1,000 pilgrims arrived at different points in the state by 24 buses, the spokesman said.

The Chief Minister has already directed the Deputy Commissioners throughout the state to ensure that passengers are not made to wait at district headquarters and immediately redirected to their respective villages and towns by specially commissioned cars and other vehicles, he said.