Complete flood protection work immediately : Nitish

Patna, May 12 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today directed all the concerned Divisional Commissioners (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to complete the flood protection work before the onset of the monsoon.

During video conferencing with DCs and DMs of the flood prone areas, Mr Kumar said rates of flood relief materials, identification of relief distribution centres and purchase of medicines to be distributed among the flood victims should be completed without any further delay.

''Flood measures should be completed within the stipulated time period,''Mr Kumar said, adding the repair work of the embankments should be competed expeditiously.

To ensure hassle-free relief work, he directed payments of the arrears of boatmen as complaints had been recieved that some of them had not been paid their dues against the services rendered during the flood last year.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials of the drought affected districts to take measures to provide drinking water to the needy areas through water tanks.

''Sinking of the hand pumps should be completed soon, '' he said.

Mr Kumar directed the district officials to send their requests through fax if they needed more funds for the execution of the flood protection work or for providing drinking water in drought affected areas.

UNI XC-DH SP CH PC2248