Bihar to seek Rs 10,500 cr central assistance for drought

Patna, Aug 11 (PTI) After declaring 26 districts as
natural calamity-hit following insufficient rains in the
state, the government of India's eastern state of Bihar
Tuesday said it would sought a Rs 10,500-crore Central package
to meet the situation.

"Our demand for a central package will exceed Rs 10,500
crore to tide over the crisis. Final touches are being given
to the draft for the memorandum in consultation with experts.
It is expected to be ready by late evening," state Disaster
Management's Principal Secretary Vyasji said.

The memorandum was likely to be submitted to the Centre
within a day or two, he said.

Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had Monday declared
26 of the 38 districts as natural calamity-hit and urged Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately rush a team of union
ministers to assess the drought and ensure early release of
funds.

According to state government estimate, the drought has
affected 1.26 crore families.

The chief minister has issued instructions to the
authorities to take steps to ensure that no starvation death
took place anywhere in the state. PTI AJK
ANU

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