Expedite Rs 6,000 payment to flood-hit people: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday asked the officials to remain prepared in all aspects to fight the twin challenges of floods and Covid-19 in state.


The CM was reviewing through videoconferencing the flood situation in 12 districts and arrangements made to check further spread of Covid-19.

The district magistrates of the flood-affected Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Khagaria, Saran and Samastipur districts in north Bihar attended the meeting.

State disaster management department (DMD) principal secretary Pratyaya Amrit informed the chief minister (CM) that an amount of Rs 6,000 as gratuitous relief to each family affected by the floods would be transferred directly in their bank accounts latest by August 10.

A population of more than 38 lakh has so far been affected by the floods in 901 panchayats under 102 blocks of 12 districts, a DMD official told TOI.

Amrit told the CM that the gratuitous relief amount of Rs6,000 had already been transferred to nearly 60,000 flood-affected families under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) while another 40,000 families would be provided the financial relief on July 30.

The CM said all affected families must be provided relief materials as per the pre-fixed standard of procedure (SoP).

He asked the officials to provide all necessary health facilities and antigen tests to all staying at the flood relief camps. He also asked for increasing the supply of antigen kits in flood-affected areas. Nitish spoke to some of the people at relief camps and inquired about the arrangements made there.

They appreciated the arrangements. “There is no difficulty. We are getting cooked rice, pulses, ‘chokha’ and varieties of vegetables.

The district magistrate and CO visit us. The administration has also provided me Rs6,000 and a polythene sheet. Employees of district administration are inquiring about the problems. Doctors also are visiting us,” said Shakila Khatoon from Asraha village camp under Keoti block in Darbhanga district.

Earlier, the district magistrates of Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran and Samastipur informed the chief minister (CM) about arrangements made in their respective districts, regarding relief camps, community kitchens, boats, fodder for animals and medical facilities.