Nitish announces Rs one lakh compensation

Patna, Aug 6 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced Rs one lakh compensation to the next of kin of those drowned in current floods in the state.

After an aerial survey of the flood-affected Madhubani district and adjoining areas, Mr Kumar told newspersons here that the state government had enhanced the ex-gratia payment from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh.

He said apart from Rs one lakh compensation, an additional amount of Rs 50,000 would be given to the affected families from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

During his visit to Madhubani, Mr Kumar distributed cheques of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of those killed in police firing in the district two days ago.

Meanwhile, the flood situation continued to remain grim in some districts, including Samastipur, Begusarai and Madhubani, while the flood waters receded in Darbhanga and Saharsa.

With reports of four more casualties, the toll in current floods in the state reached 87 today.

A report from Khagaria said one person drowned in the Ganga, while the report from Kahalgaon maintained that one person was swept away in the flood water of the Ghogha.

A report from Samastipur quoting official sources said two people drowned when a motor boat capsized midstream in swollen Ganga under Patauri police station. Both bodies had been fished out.

About 100 people were reportedly on board the boat.

The report said 11 people swam to safety and the search for the rest was on.

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