Bihar seeks Rs. 387 Cr. flood relief funds

PATNA, AUG. 9. The Bihar Government has sought Rs. 387.74 crores from the Centre for restoring damages caused to infrastructure in flood-hit districts and carrying out relief operations, official sources said today.

The Chief Minister, Mrs. Rabri Devi, and the RJD supremo, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, handed over a detailed report to the Union Minister of State Mr. S. Y. Naik during a meeting at the chief official residence last evening. The meeting was held to take stock of the damages caused by the floods in north Bihar, the sources said.

Mr. Naik, who is heading a three-member Central team to assess the magnitude of the flood situation in some districts, held a meeting with senior State Ministers besides the Chief Secretary and the Relief Commissioner.

The Chief Minister told, Mr. Naik there was need for amendment to the guidelines for spending money from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF). The State Government should be given authority to spend money from the CRF even for repairing infrastructural damages, the sources quoted her as saying.

Mr. Naik admitted that the flood situation was alarming and said the Centre would provide financial assistance to the State soon, according to the sources.

Meanwhile, the overall flood situation improved further with major rivers like the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati and Adhwara group of rivers continuing to recede.

- PTI

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