Prime Minister reviews relief and rehabilitation work in flood hit Bihar

New Delhi, Sept 12 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today reviewed the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Flood hit Bihar at a high level meeting here.

Meanwhile Bihar has demanded over 8900 crore rupees for rehabilitation, construction and repair of the infrastructure damaged in the floods.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who met the Prime Minister on Friday also wanted him to take up with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Pushpa Dahal Prachanda the outstanding issue of Kosi river to prevent recurrence of devastation. Prachanda is coming to India on Sunday.

Nitish said that he expects rational, fair and new deal through a special Kosi package. He said that overall expenditure on the requirements will be 8922 crore rupees for medium term measures.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister he regretted that not much progress has been made on the proposal of setting up of a high level inter-ministerial group in the Prime Minister's office to pursue the initiatives for rehabilitation.

A report on the actions taken by the State Government with regard to rescue and relief operations was also submitted.

Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav who also met the Prime Minister blamed the State Government for its carelessness which led to the breach in the Kosi embankment.

He also alleged that the food grains sent by the Centre have yet to be lifted by the state government.

ANI