Bihar to seek Rs 15,000-crore Central package for drought

PATNA: The Bihar government will seek a special financial package of Rs 15,000 crore from the Centre to tackle drought in 28 of the state's 38 districts.

Sources in the state's disaster management department said a report, which was being given final touches, seeking assistance of Rs 15,000 crore would be placed before the Centre.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to be in New Delhi on August 7 to press for the package under the provisions of the National Calamity Contingency Fund, the sources said.

The government had on Tuesday declared 28 districts as drought-hit following deficient rainfall.

The state has faced drought for the second consecutive year. Last year, 26 out of 38 districts were declared drought- affected following deficient rains.

The drought-hit districts include Gaya, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Arwal, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Munger, Sheikhpura, Akhisarai, Jamui, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Banka, Siwan, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Vaishali, East Champran, Madhubani, Samastipur and Darbhanga.

The sources revealed allocation would be made in the package for gratuitous relief of Rs 20 per adult and Rs 15 per child per day for close to 1.50 crore families. Cash doles would also be provided for one month, besides one quintal of foodgrain per family and undertaking nutritional programme.

Between June 1 and July 31, 2010 Bihar received 392.8 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 508.5 mm during the period which was 23 per cent less than normal.