Patna: The Bihar government has transferred Rs 579.23 crore in ex-gratia assistance to 8,27,472 flood-affected families, with each eligible family receiving Rs 7,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched the transfer at Sankalp Auditorium, Lok Sevak Awas, Patna, as the state moved from immediate relief towards recovery and reconstruction following the floods.
The government has directed officials to ensure that no eligible affected family is left out of the relief process. Families that may have been missed are to be identified and added to the beneficiary list within one week.
Floods Affected 15 Districts
According to the government assessment, the floods affected 15 districts, 88 blocks, 575 gram panchayats and 2,642 villages across Bihar.
The impact also extended to 21 cities and 136 wards, affecting around 50 lakh people. Approximately 55,000 hectares of land were affected by the floods.
The government has emphasised transparent identification and verification of beneficiaries to ensure that relief reaches eligible households.
More Than 1,200 Community Kitchens Operating
Immediate relief operations continue across the affected areas. More than 1,200 community kitchens have been operating to provide food to flood-affected people.
Around 1.28 crore meals have been served through these community kitchens, according to the government.
The state has also deployed 21 NDRF and SDRF teams for rescue and relief operations. Officials have been directed to continue providing food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies until normal conditions are restored.
Government Sets One-Month Reconstruction Target
The government has now shifted its focus towards recovery and rebuilding under the principle of “Build Back Better Than Before.”
Chief Minister Choudhary directed departments to complete recovery and reconstruction-related work within one month. The measures will include support for affected families and farmers, agricultural input assistance and repairs to damaged roads and other infrastructure.
The government said the objective is not limited to providing immediate financial assistance but also to restore normal life quickly and strengthen infrastructure against future challenges.
Damage Assessment Ahead Of Shivraj Singh Chouhan Visit
The state administration has also been instructed to prepare a detailed and accurate assessment of flood damage ahead of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s proposed visit on September 16.
Officials have been asked to ensure that information on damage to agriculture, infrastructure and other affected sectors is properly documented.
The government has stressed that the assessment should be carried out with accuracy and sensitivity, with assistance provided to affected people according to applicable norms.
Relief Beneficiary Verification To Continue
The administration has been directed to maintain transparency in identifying and verifying beneficiaries. Any eligible family that has not yet received assistance is to be included after verification.
The government said coordinated efforts by different departments have helped in managing the flood situation and delivering relief.
The next phase will focus on recovery, reconstruction and restoring normalcy, alongside continued assistance to families and farmers affected by the floods.
Several senior officials attended the relief programme, including Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Disaster Management Minister Ratnesh Sada, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, DGP Vinay Kumar and senior officials from the disaster management, agriculture, health, energy, water resources and public health engineering departments.
