Bihar CM Nitish Kumar transfers ₹456 crore to 6.51 lakh flood-affected families

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday transferred over Rs 456 crore directly to the bank accounts of over 6.51 lakh families affected by the recent flood.

Each deluge-affected family received Rs 7,000 as free relief, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The amount was transferred at a function held at the CM’s official residence in Patna.

“A total sum of Rs 456.12 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 6,51,602 flood-affected families across 12 districts,” the CMO statement said.

The CM had recently announced an increase in free relief money from Rs 6,000 per family to Rs 7,000.

A large number of people have been affected by floods in Bihar, where several rivers are in spate due to torrential rains over the past 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

The affected districts include Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the statement said.

The CM also asked officials to remain vigilant as rain is expected in September.

Among those present in the meeting were Disaster Management Minister Vijay Kumar Mandal, Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, Development Commissioner Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary Water Resources Department Santosh Kumar Mall and other senior officials of the state government.