Bihar enroute to development , despite natural calamity : Nitish Kumar

Patna, Aug 15 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said despite the State facing natural calamity for the fourth year in succession, it is on the path of development.

"Bihar is facing natural calamity for the fourth year in succession. While the state faced devastating floods in 2007 and 2008, drought has hit the state for the second year in succession. Despite the state facing natural calamities, Bihar is on the path of development," said Kumar after unfulring the tricolour at the historic Gandhi Maidan here on the occasion oif the 64th Independence Day.

Earlier on August 7, Kumar met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and sought financial assistance of over Rs 5000 crore from the Central Government to deal with the drought situation in his State.

"The state has demanded Rs. 5062 crore special package to deal with the drought. ''But given the past experience of central assistance, which had not been very encouraging the Bihar government will take up rehabilitation work through its own resource," said Kumar.

"We will take measures from our own resources to ensure that people do not feel the pangs of hunger or suffer from the lack of potable water," he added.

The Government had on August 3 declared 28 out of the 38 districts in Bihar as drought hit, which include Saharsa, Supaul, Purnea Madhepura, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Araria and Katihar. (ANI)