Varun Gandhi seeks MPs consolidated fund for Uttarkhand

BJP MP Varun Gandhi Monday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to set up a "consolidated" fund for MPs to make contributions towards relief work in flood-hit Uttarakhand.

In a letter to the speaker, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also urged the speaker to call an emergency all party meeting for the purpose.

"I humbly call upon you to summon an immediate emergency all-party meeting to arrive at and announce the maximum support that we as India's parliament will contribute towards the national relief and rebuilding effort," he wrote.

Gandhi suggested a consolidated fund to be formed by MPs, forgoing their salaries for three months. He added that a part of MP's funds can also be used for relief.

"We could also suggest enhanced tax incentives for corporate and private contributions above a certain amount. What discussions with fellow parliamentarians cutting across party lines, have revealed is that we are all ready to contribute, we just need a co-ordinated plan of action," he said in his letter.