Bihar Govt asked to submit report on floods

Patna HC has asked Centre, state Govt to file a report within a month about relief measures in the flood-affected areas

The Patna High Court on Friday directed the Centre and the state government to file a report within a month about relief measures in the flood-affected areas of north Bihar and steps taken to find a permanent solution to the recurring flood problem in the state.

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A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Nagendra Roy and Justice SN Hussain issued notices to the Centre and the state government, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL).

The PIL filed by advocate MP Gupta on behalf of an NGO, Council for Protection of Public Rights, urged the court to order a judicial inquiry into construction of low quality embankments that did not withstand the pressure of flood waters and breached due to which the flood situation had turned grim in 20 north Bihar districts.

Alleging that the Centre and the state government had done precious little to find permanent solution to the recurring flood in state, the PIL also prayed the court to give directions to the Union and state governments to take measures to find permanent solution to the flood.

The petition also alleged discrimination in distribution of relief among the flood-hit people of north Bihar.

While Amar Nath Singh represented the state, Advocate Ravi Ranjan was the counsel for the Central government.