Nitish Kumar to visit Gaya today

GAYA/ PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar will visit Gaya on Saturday to review the preparations for month- long Pitrapaksha Mela and launch several government schemes.

“The CM will inaugurate 61 projects entailing an estimated outlay of Rs 232.81crore and lay the foundation for 96 projects entailing an estimated outlay of Rs321.6 crore,” Gaya district magistrate (DM) Abhishek Singh told this newspaper on Friday.

Sources said the CM may also review the drought situation in the district. The district, as per official statistics, received only about 74% of the average rainfall till Thursday evening. The 26% rainfall deficit has caused much er harm to paddy transplantation in the district. Asked about areas worst hit by rainfall deficiency, the DM said that though the entire district has received less than normal rainfall, the situation was more serious in about half-a-dozen blocks, including Wazirganj, Amas, Guraru and Konch.