Treatment to memorial of Rao a national shame: Venkaiah

New Delhi: Decrying the government's attitude towards setting up a memorial of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu today sought details of expenses incurred on memorials of former Prime Ministers.

Terming as a "national shame", the government's attitude while setting up a memorial of late Narasimha Rao, Naidu also sought details of expenses incurred on construction of memorials of Moraji Desai other former Prime Ministers.

Naidu, who raised the issue during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, said he was also concerned over the issue as the former Prime Minister belonged to his state of Andhra Pradesh.

Other BJP members also asked the government to provide details of expenses on memorials of other former Prime Ministers.

In reply to the main question, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Sonia said a memorial of Morarji Desai named 'Abhay Ghat' has been constructed at the bank of river Sabarmati at Ahmedabad.

She said the construction work started in July 1997 and was completed in March 1999.

Denying Naidu's charge, the minister said "I reject any insinuation by the member".  

She said there was no discrimination meted out in the construction of memorials of former Prime Ministers.

Soni said the Centre granted funds to NGOs for the maintainence of various memorials.