Patna, Aug 19 (Inditop.com) An 11-member central team, that is on a three-day visit to the drought-hit districts of Bihar starting Wednesday, will assess the drought situation in the state and meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Friday. Last week, 26 of the state’s 38 districts were declared drought-hit.
“The team led by R.K. Tiwari, joint secretary to the union agriculture ministry, is on a three-day visit to assess drought situation in the state,” state Disaster Management Principal Secretary Vyasji said.
He said the central team would hold a high-level discussions with senior state officials after returning to Patna and also meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Aug 21. The team would submit its report to the central government after the visit.
The central team has been divided into three groups and allotted separate districts for assessing the situation. The first group would visit Gaya and its surrounding districts like Aurangabad, Nawada and Jehanabad. The second group would visit Munger and Lakhisarai, while the third one would visit Siwan and Saran Wednesday.
Kumar had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to send a high-level ministerial team to assess the impact of the natural calamity in the state. Also, Kumar sought an assistance of Rs.23,071 crore to meet the financial burden caused by the ‘unprecedented drought’ in the state.
The drought has affected about 1.26 crore families in 26 districts with paddy coverage showing an overall shortfall of 57 per cent.
Last week 26 districts of Bihar were declared drought-hit in view of the scanty rainfall that has hit paddy seedling transplantation. Bihar has recorded a 38 percent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon season.
