Centre assures help to Bihar to meet damage due to storm

 The Centre on Thursday assured all possible assistance to Bihar amid demands in the Lok Sabha for a special package to deal with the losses due to the heavy storm and rainfall in three districts that left scores dead and a trail of devastation last night.

New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday assured all possible assistance to Bihar amid demands in the Lok Sabha for a special package to deal with the losses due to the heavy storm and rainfall in three districts that left scores dead and a trail of devastation last night.

Responding to demands by members in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government wants to assure the people and government of Bihar that all possible assistance will be extended.

He said the possibilirty of the death toll crossing the 50 mark cannot be ruled out.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, members from the state cutting across party lines demanded special package of the state and said the storm should be declared a 'national calamity'.

Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav (RJD), Tariq Anwar (NCP), R K Singh (BJP), Ranjit Ranjan (Cong) sought a special package for the state, shelter for those rendered homeless and declaring the situation as a national calamity.

The Home Minister said he has already spoken with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and would tour the affected areas tomorrow for an on-the-spot assessment.

Heavy storm that ravaged three districts in Bihar has claimed over 42 lives and injured 80 people.

There are reports of extensive damage to crops and electricity supply has been disrupted as well. Purnia, Madhepura and several other districts of Bihar have been affected by the tropical storm that hit on Tuesday night.

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