By IANS,
Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hoisted the national flag on Independence Day Saturday and promised adequate relief to people affected by drought, better infrastructure in the state and more measures to curb corruption.
Speaking at the Gandhi Maidan here, Nitish Kumar expressed concern for the millions hit by drought this year due to scanty rainfall in the state.
“My government is committed to provide adequate relief to people affected by the drought,” he said.
The chief minister added that he would seek help from the central government in this regard.
Early this week, the state government declared 26 of its 38 districts drought-hit in view of the scanty rainfall. Bihar has recorded a 38 percent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon, affecting the transplanting of paddy seedlings.
Bihar had targeted sowing of paddy over 8.77 million acres this year, but the crop could only be planted over 3.83 million acres so far.
Nitish Kumar reiterated that he would make all efforts to make Bihar a developed state by providing education and healthcare facilities to all and improving road connectivity.
He also promised a speedy trial for those charged with corruption. “We will confiscate the property of those caught for corruption,” he said.
He said the Bihar Special Court Bill, 2009, would be a step towards removing corruption.
Security was tightened across the state in view of a call by Maoists to boycott all Independence Day celebrations.