Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday made it clear that the government of Bihar will not have to return Rs 1,000 crore given to it by the Centre as relief for Kosi flood victims.

Assuring the agitated JD (U) members during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said: "There is no question of recovering the money. The government has decided that keeping in view the situation in the state, there will be no recovery of money."

Earlier, JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav attacked the union government for asking the government of Bihar to return the money.

Yadav accused the government of discrimination, citing the grant of Rs 10,000 crore from the National Calamity Relief Fund for the victims of Aila in West Bengal.

"You can give more to West Bengal, we have no issues with it. But do not discriminate against Bihar," said Yadav.

The contentious matter had gathered steam in the Lok Sabha two days ago with Home Minister P Chidambaram dismissing the opposition charge of the UPA having recalled the sanctioned relief amount.

A parallel question was also raised by members of BJD. They also wanted to know from the finance minister whether the union government had taken back the relief money given to Orissa.

An annoyed Mukherjee said: "You don't give me a submission notice in advance. You cannot bring everything like this."