The government’s priority is not a snap poll, said Chief Minister Narendra Modi today, but to "provide relief and rehabilitation to the riot victims and wipe their tears." So on "rehabilitation," Modi’s Cabinet took one decision — it allotted prime plots in Gandhinagar to 70 MLAs and MPs at half the market price. Roads and Building Minister Chimanbhai Saparia told The Indian Express that each of the 70 beneficiaries will get a 330-square-metre plot at 50 per cent of the market rate. Asked why no decision was taken or any specific step announced for the rehabilitation of the riot victims, Agriculture Minister and Cabinet spokesman Purushottam Rupala said: "Relief and rehabilitation of riot victims is not discussed in the Cabinet because Secretary-level officers have been given charge of various camps...the Chief Minister himself reviews relief and rehabilitation with them."
In other words, they grabbed the relief that was supposed to go to the people who were beaten up and dispossessed and pocketed it themselves. |