Contrary to this, the Bihar Chief Minister said he was forming a “Special Purpose Authority” that would be instilled with all the powers to chalk out plans and supervise reconstruction work in the affected areas. “This body will comprise of specialised people and will draw a plan for expenditure of funds provided by the Government as well as private bodies,” Kumar pointed out.

Lalu, however, termed the state’s demand for an economic package as baseless. “They have come up with a proposal without even assessing the damage. It is all baseless. The Centre will step in to undertake all reconstruction work,” Lalu said.

With polls round the corner RJD chief Lalu is going all out to put the Nitish Kumar Government in the dock and win over the masses.