The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal has demanded the government allocate at least Rs 26 billion for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims in the Tarai.

Handing over a memorandum to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday, party leaders urged the government to request the national and international agencies, including the United Nations, for necessary support and cooperation.

The madhes-centric party has called on the government to assess the damage in coordination with international development bodies and organise a donors’ conference as per its report. It has also demanded a powerful Flood-hit Region Reconstruction Authority to be coordinated by an all-party mechanism headed by the PM.

The party, however, criticised the government’s one-door system for supporting the flood victims, and urged the government to allow all those willing to support the victims. PM Deuba assured the RJP-N leaders that the government would address their demands.

Meanwhile, RJP-N leaders have started heading for their home districts to support the flood victims. Anil Jha left for Rautahat and Sharat Singh Bhandari headed for Mahottari on Thursday. Rajendra Mahato is leaving for Janakpur, Mahendra Raya Yadav is heading for Sarlahi and Rajkishor Yadav for Siraha on Friday.