Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government Disburses Rs. 307 Crore in Ex-Gratia Relief to 4.39 Lakh Flood-Affected Families

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in a program organized at 'Sankalp' located at 1 Anne Marg, launched the payment of ex-gratia relief amount of Rs 307 crore at the rate of Rs 7 thousand per family directly into the account of 4.39 lakh families affected by the flood (first phase) in 13 districts of the state in the year 2024 through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). The Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting related to the relief and rescue work carried out during the flood of 2024. In the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, Shri Pratyaya Amrit, while giving information through the presentation, said that between 20 September and 29 September, 13 districts were affected by the flood due to the increase in the water level of the Ganges river. In the first phase, a population of 28.34 lakh was affected. In the second phase, due to heavy rainfall in Nepal and the neighboring districts of North Bihar from 29th September, the water level in rivers like Gandak, Koshi etc. increased unexpectedly, leading to flood situations in 18 districts of the state. All actions are being taken as per the Flood Disaster Management Standard Operating Procedure to help the flood victims and all possible help is being provided to the affected people.

During the review, the Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said that the agriculture sector of 67 blocks and 645 panchayats of 16 districts has been affected by the flood in the first phase. Assessment of crop damage due to the flood in the second phase is being done. Principal Secretary of the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, Dr. N. Vijayalakshmi, while giving information related to her department, said that animal camps have been set up in the flood-affected areas. Adequate arrangements have been made for veterinary doctors, animal feed and medicine.

During the review, the Chief Minister said that all possible help should be provided to the people of the flood-affected areas. Since coming to power, we are constantly ready to help the disaster victims. Assess the crop damage of farmers in flood-affected areas and provide them all possible help. Today, funds have been transferred to the accounts of families affected by the first phase of floods.

The Chief Minister, while giving instructions to the officials, said that the funds must be transferred to the accounts of the families affected by the second phase of floods by 9 October. Get the amount paid to the farmers as soon as possible for the crop damage caused by the first phase of floods. Get the dams damaged during the floods restored as soon as possible. Along with this, the Road Construction and Rural Works Department should also get the roads damaged by the floods restored as soon as possible. Keep the medical system in the flood-affected areas completely strong to prevent flood-related diseases.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Samrat Chaudhary, Water Resources Minister Mr. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Disaster Management Minister Mr. Santosh Kumar Suman, Vice President of Bihar State Disaster Management Authority Dr. Uday Kant Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Mr. Amrit Lal Meena, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. S. Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of Disaster Management Department Mr. Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary of Animal and Fisheries Resources Department Dr. N. Vijayalakshmi, Secretary of Agriculture Department Mr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Anupam Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Ravi, Special Officer to the Chief Minister Mr. Gopal Singh, Joint Secretary of Disaster Management Department Mrs. Sahila and other senior officers of Disaster Management Department were present in the meeting.