Patna: The state government will not take any call on declaring Bihar drought-hit before July 31, even though the Opposition wants the government to immediately make a formal announcement in this regard.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar was not in the House when it was debating the issue. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi joined the proceedings only after leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had delivered his opening speech, setting the tempo of the debate which took political colours at several junctures even though members remained more or less focused on the main topic.
Delivering the government's reply, agriculture minister Prem Kumar informed the House that the chief minister had convened a meeting of the crisis management group on July 31 to take stock of the situation and, if required, the government would declare the state drought-hit that day.
Tejashwi, while delivering the opening speech, had insisted on drought being declared immediately. He also demanded compensation to farmers who have suffered because of deficient rain. Announcement of a loan waiver to farmers, free electricity and repair of all tubewells were some other demands he pressed for.
The leader of the Opposition didn't mince words while attacking the government on the drought issue. He said his Chahaji's (read Nitish Kumar) focus was on saving his chair and a situation was being created that might force farmers to commit suicide. He maintained no time should be wasted on debates and meetings and the government should start delivering help to farmers immediately. "Why are we wasting time on debate," Tejashwi asked. "The government should immediately declare a drought."
Several Opposition leaders - Abdul Bari Siddiqui (RJD), Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAMS), Ramdeo Rai (Congress) - spoke about immediately declaring a drought.
The government's reply came from public health and engineering department minister Vinod Narayan Jha, disaster management department minister Dinesh Chandra Yadav and agriculture minister Prem Kumar.
Charting out steps taken by his department to ensure drinking water supply to those hit by deficient rain, Jha said the RJD reign was marked by scams in relief distribution work but this has changed under Nitish. "Everybody knows that people call Nitish 'Quintal Baba' because of the relief work his government has carried out," Jha said.
Dinesh Chandra Yadav spoke about preparations made by the government to help farmers and informed the House that funds to the tune of Rs 138.21 crore had already been earmarked to help farmers facing trouble because of deficient rainfall.
