'Kuchha' house collapses in rain, UP minister refuses aid

For the common man, who usually finds the ministers of Uttar Pradesh harassing officials, passing insensitive remarks and putting the public at inconvenience, this may come as a surprise.

A state minister has refused help from the government after a part of his ‘kuchha’ (mud) house collapsed during heavy rain in Baharaich district on Saturday.

According to reports, Banshidhar Baudh, Minister of State for Social Welfare, cleaned up the house and removed the debris with the help of his wife and three sons.

Reports said that Baudh, a resident of Teria village in the district, was sleeping when the house caved in.

He and his family escaped unhurt as they were in another part of the house. As the news spread, officials from the revenue and other departments rushed to the village and offered to deploy workers to remove the debris and re-build the house.

The minister, however, refused politely, saying he would not accept any help since the same was not extended to the common people, whose houses collapsed in the recent rain.

Baudh, a Dalit leader known for his simple living, also made a temporary drain to remove the water from the other rooms in the house.

Authorities said that a team of revenue officials would be sent to assess the damage and decide on the compensation to be handed to the minister. However, according to reports, the minister refused to claim compensation.

The officials explained that since the village was situated close to the forested area, 'pucca' (made with bricks and cement) houses could not be constructed there.