Bihar: Congenial atmosphere at relief camps

Patna, Sep 13: The state government is contemplating to create congenial atmosphere in relief camps in flood-hit north Bihar to enable the flood victims for leading a near normal life as they would have to stay there for atleast six months till reconstruction of their houses, devastated by catastrophic flood.

With the completion of rescue operation all focus is now on to equip the relief centres with all facilities required for leading a normal life.

Teaching of the children taking shelter at relief camps, training of women in sewing, applique and embroidery, providing playing space for kids, medical aid for sick and recreation facilities are some of the priorities of the state government to provide congenial atmosphere at the relief centres.

State Human Resources Development Minister Hari Narayan Singh said officials of district education department had been directed to visit the relief camps and arrange teaching from class 1 to class VII with the help of teacher victims of the floods sharing the camps.

''The Chief Minister had already announced Rs 1000 to each student victim to purchase dress, books and copies,'' he added.

''Several primary, middle and high schools had incurred huge loss due to the floods and it would not be possible to restore teaching there and the makeshift schools would continue to function till further order,'' Mr Singh said adding the state government would soon assess the total damage to its schools and work out ways for their re-construction.

Meanwhile, principal secretary of State Human Resources Minister Anjani Kumar Singh said the state government was also looking for possibilities to create playful environment at these camp schools to help the children come out from trauma due to Kosi devastation.

''Seven schools had already been running at the relief camps and fifty more such schools would be established,'' he said adding the government was working in coordination with two NGOs-- Pratham and MV foundation.

UNI