Faced with the daunting task of rehabilitating lakhs of people rendered homeless by the Kosi deluge, the Bihar government today said it would seek an economic package from the Centre to carry out relief work in flood-hit districts.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday when he would formally place the demand for central assistance.
"It is beyond the means of the state government to undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts on its own considering the scale of the devastation. Bihar needs a package from the Centre and I have sought an appointment with the prime minister for a day after tomorrow to place our demand," Kumar told reporters.
Asked about the quantum of assistance the state proposed to seek, Kumar said, "details are being worked out."
On the government's decision to hold a judicial inquiry into river Kosi embankment breach, Kumar said it was the decision of the cabinet and the inquiry commission's terms of reference have also been announced.
When pointed out that some in the opposition did not see any point in holding such a probe, he said, "let the truth come out. People should know who was responsible for the breach that caused this catastrophe."
The name of the retired high court judge, who would head the judicial panel, would be announced shortly, Kumar said.