India standing by Nepal in hour of crisis: Rajnath

The government on Monday condoled the deaths in the devastating earthquake in Nepal that has also affected parts of India, and said it was standing by its own people as well as its neighbour in their hour of crisis.

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, meanwhile, said people should not believe in rumours being spread predicting earthquakes, as members from both houses condoled the deaths in the quake.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in the Lok Sabha, assured “every possible help” for the quake victims.

“We condole the loss of lives here in India and Nepal. The people of Nepal are part of our family. I want to assure that India is with its people and with the people of Nepal in this hour of crisis,” he said.

Members of the Lok Sabha decided to donate a month’s salary for the relief work in Nepal. A proposal by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu in this regard was quickly accepted by the opposition.

In the Rajya Sabha, Prasad cautioned people against rumour mongering.

“There are messages coming on social media that at 9 p.m. earthquake would come, or at 8 p.m. earthquake would come. Such rumours should be ignored. There is no basis to it, and if there is some authentic information, government will act on it,” he said.

Rumours have been afloat on social media and through messages giving time for a ‘predicted’ earthquake.

The Rajya Sabha also condoled the deaths in Nepal and expressed commitment from the Indian side to help the people of the neighbouring country.

Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari said the house stands in solidarity with the “friendly people of Nepal”.

Members also appreciated the government’s efforts for the relief and rescue work.

Over 3,800 people have died and more than 5,000 were injured in the 7.9 earthquake in Nepal. The toll in India was 72.