CM relief fund okays Rs 4.7cr ex gratia assistance for disaster victims, injured

Patna: The 24th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, held at Sankalp Sabhagar at 1 Anne Marg on Monday, approved an expenditure of Rs 4.70 crore towards ex gratia assistance.The amount was disbursed to the dependents of 89 persons from Bihar who died, and 41 seriously injured persons in accidents outside the state, as well as to the families of 72 people who lost their lives in various disasters within the state.The meeting, chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, also approved Rs 38.19 lakh for expenses related to children born in flood relief camps and for the purchase of utensils, clothing and other essential items for people staying in such camps.In addition, the board sanctioned Rs 86 lakh to the labour resources department for the rehabilitation of adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who have been freed from child labour. The amount was approved at the rate of Rs 25,000 per adolescent and was paid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.“A detailed discussion was held on various issues related to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, during which the chief minister issued necessary directions to the concerned officials,” a communiqué from the CMO said.Disaster management minister Narayan Prasad was also present at the meeting.Addressing the meeting, Kumar said people are provided assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund during disasters as well as for other welfare purposes, adding that the fund plays a crucial role in providing relief to those in need.