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PM announces relief packages for Assam, Bihar
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced flood relief of Rs 550 million for Assam and Rs 300 million for Bihar.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced flood relief of Rs 550 million ($12 mn) for Assam and Rs 300 million ($6.54 mn) for Bihar.
During a review of the flood situation, Manmohan Singh assured the Chief Ministers of the two states of all assistance to provide relief and rehabilitation to flood victims, an official statement said.
The death toll in the floods this season in these two states has crossed 100 while millions have been displaced in Assam, Bihar and West Bengal.
The assistance to Assam from the National Calamity Contingency Fund is apart from Rs 810 million ($17.67 mn) that the Planning Commission will sanction to the state as the central share of a project to strengthen river embankments.
In addition, Assam has already been given Rs 460 million as the central share from the calamity relief fund, the statement said.
The central government has directed its home, agriculture, rural development, rural drinking water supply, finance and environment and forest ministries to be in contact with the Assam government to help with relief measures.
The water resources ministry will conduct an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Assam, the statement said.
The two states are facing severe floods at a time when several other parts are facing deficit rainfalls and others like the Northwestern states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana are still awaiting the southwest monsoon, which accounts for 80 per cent of the country's rainfall.
To help with relief and rescue operations in Assam, seven helicopters have been made available to the state government.
The railways will provide 58 goods rakes to carry essential commodities to the state while the army has made available 27 boats for rescue operations.
In Bihar, apart from relief from the calamity fund, the army has been asked to provide six helicopters for rescue operations.
The Food Corporation of India will provide the required additional rice and wheat stocks for the state.
