PM allocates Rs.3.2 billion for Bihar flood relief

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday allocated an amount of Rs.2.32 billion from the Prime Minister's Calamity Relief Fund for relief exercises in Bihar, where 120 people have died in floods.

The prime minister's directions came after "a prolonged discussion in the union cabinet on the flood situation in different parts of the country", said Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.

He said 20 states were facing the fury of floods and Bihar, Assam, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal are the worst hit. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra are also affected by floods, as also are Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

"Over 1,500 people have lost their lives and the floods have caused vast damage to crop and cattle. The Prime Minister has called for a detailed report which will come up for full discussion next cabinet meeting."

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