Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised an immediate assistance of Rs 500-crore to augment the rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and restoration works in the flood-hit regions of Bihar.
Modi, who made a 50-minute aerial survey of four of the 21 flood-affected districts of the state with CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, also announced an exgratia of Rs two lakh each for the kin of those who died in the flood and Rs 50,000 each for those grievously injured.
While the swelling of rivers originating in Nepal and passing through Bihar has become an annual affair causing severe damage to life and property, this year's flood is among the worst in the recent past, having officially claimed 440 lives till Saturday. More than 1.71 lakh of the 11 crore people of Bihar are affected in the 8,394 villages that still remain inundated.
The PM, during his visit, asked the Bihar government to submit a memorandum detailing the damages suffered by the state due to the deluge within a week, following which, a central team of surveyors will also assess the extent of the destruction caused and recommend further aid. Sources say the valuation of damage in Bihar's well exceeds Rs 10,500 crore.
"All possible help will be extended to Bihar to compensate the losses due to the flood. The concerned Union ministries will be directed to work in tandem with the Bihar government to restore power, road connectivity and other infrastructure in the flood-hit areas. We will work for institutionalising the system," the PM said.
The PM, after making an aerial survey of Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Araria — the worst-affected districts in the Seemanchal, conducted a review meeting of the 2017 Bihar floods at Chunapur airport in Purnia, where Nitish thanked the Centre for the aids received so far. Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh presented Bihar's case before Modi.
Kumar told Modi that this year, the flood water had entered non-traditional areas. "Roads, bridges, canals, and embankments have suffered huge damages. The Indo-Nepal border road, too, is ruined. The Centre should think about elevating the roads in the flood-affected regions," he said. The PM and Bihar CM also talked about collaborating with Nepal for chalking out more effective solutions to the water woes that affect both countries.
The Opposition RJD and Congress have, however, raised a question over the PM's Rs 500 crore package and termed it "inadequate", while reminding that former PM Manmohan Singh had sent an aid of Rs 1,000 crore during the 2008 floods that were declared a national calamity.
Bihar's Disaster Management Minister Dinesh Chandra Yadav and senior officials of the PMO and Bihar government were also present during the flood review meet on Saturday.
THE REVIEW MEET
- Nitish Kumar thanked the Centre for the aids received so far, at the review meeting held in Purnia.
- Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh presented Bihar’s case before Modi.
- Kumar told Modi that this year, the flood water had entered non-traditional areas.
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 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar")
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