Spl package of 25000 cr required for Bihar: STF

Patna, Sep 16: Describing the catastrophic flood in north Bihar as 'unprecedented' the Special Task Force (STF) constituted by Prime- Minister Manmohan Singh has recommended a package of Rs 25,000 crore for rehabilitation works in affected districts.

After surveying the area, the STF recommended to declare it as Special Development Zone (SDZ).

The STF suggested the Prime Minister to seek financial assistance from the World Bank, IMF and Asian Development Bank to meet the challenges, people are facing in the area.

Chairman of STF S C Jha toured the flood- hit districts to assess the damages.

He said the special rehabilitation package of Rs 8,922 crore as demanded by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the Centre was perhaps a quick assessment, adding the rehabilitation and reconstruction work would require more than that.

Mr Jha also suggested the Centre to prepare an action plan for helping the flood victims.

He also stressed for better coordination between the State and the Centre and said the breached embankment should be plugged at the earliest to prevent further submergence.

UNI