Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar launched a direct benefit transfer scheme to provide financial aid to families hit by recent floods across 12 districts.
Under the scheme, each affected household will receive Rs 7,000, with a total of Rs 456.12 crore disbursed to 651,602 families. The funds were transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT from the chief minister’s residence at 1 Anne Marg.
According to officials from the Disaster Management Department, flooding was triggered in August after the Ganga river rose above danger levels, inundating districts including Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar. Heavy rainfall in neighbouring states also caused flooding in Nalanda, bringing the total affected population to around 3.8 million across 66 blocks.
Relief measures so far include the distribution of 219,000 polythene sheets, nearly 58,000 dry ration packets, and the operation of 14 relief camps housing around 15,000 people. Community kitchens have served food to an estimated 8.5 million people, while medical support for humans and livestock has also been arranged.
Speaking at the launch, Kumar said officials had been directed to speed up relief work following his aerial survey of flood-hit areas last week. “I am happy that today assistance has been paid to over six and a half lakh families,” he said. “But the time of floods is not over yet. September also brings heavy rains and rising river levels. Everyone must remain alert and extend full support to affected families. Disaster victims have the first right on the state treasury.”
