PM praises Cong-led govt for relief work

PM praises Cong-led govt for relief work
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, FEB 17: Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee today showered praise on the Congress-led Democratic Front government for its ``outstanding contribution'' to relief and rehabilitation work in quake-ravaged Gujarat.

``The people and the government of Maharashtra were among the first to respond. Mumbai is home to a large population of Gujarati-speaking people, especially those belonging to Kutch. All sections of the cosmopolitan city participated spontaneously to mobilise relief,'' Vajpayee said.

The NRI as well as the international community also chipped in, the Prime Minister added. Vajpayee said the initial problems of coordination have been largely sorted out and the state government has been managing all the official and the non-governmental efforts satisfactorily.

``The Centre has been monitoring the situation on a daily basis. I am happy that the government is speedily evolving a plan for both the temporary and permanent rehabilitation of the quake-affected people. The recently constituted National Committee on Disaster Management will have its first meeting in New Delhi tomorrow,'' Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee said it was unfortunate that certain political parties were making unsubstantiated allegations about discrimination on the basis of caste and religion in the relief and rehabilitation activities in Gujarat. ``Evidence shows that no such discrimination has taken place. However, if there is a specific complaint, we are prepared for a high-level probe,'' the Prime Minister assured.