Bihar's Deputy CM seeks ₹5,000 crore central aid for flood relief

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ₹5,000 crore in central government funding to support flood relief and recovery efforts in the state. The appeal comes as the region grapples with the aftermath of recent inundation that has affected multiple districts.

In his communication to the Prime Minister, Yadav contended that the current flood situation extends beyond the scope of a natural calamity alone. He pointed to systemic inadequacies in the state's disaster management framework, citing years of insufficient response mechanisms, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies as contributing factors to the scale of the crisis.

The request underscores tensions between Bihar's state administration and the central government over disaster relief funding. The deputy chief minister's assertion that preparedness failures have compounded the natural disaster's impact reflects broader concerns about infrastructure and planning gaps in flood-prone regions of eastern India.

Bihar has historically faced recurring monsoon flooding that displaces hundreds of thousands and damages agricultural land and infrastructure. The state has long advocated for greater central assistance and improved coordination in disaster management frameworks to reduce vulnerability to such events.