SHRI SHARAD YADAV TO ASSESS FLOOD/ DROUGHT SITUATION IN BIHAR

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Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs , Food and Public Distribution will visit the flood affected districts of Bihar during his two day visit to the State on tomorrow and the day after. The Minister will be covering the flood affected areas of Gopalganj,Orhi, Sitamarhi. Jhanjarpur and Samastipur on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by floods there for deciding on a relief package. The areas to be covered on Wednesday include Neermali,Distt. Saupal: Pureni, Distt. Madhepura: Saunbarasarai and Bhandi, Distt. Saharsha and Balia, Distt. Begusarai. Shri Yadav will visit the drought affected area of Jahanabad also.

Food Ministry has decided to operate hundred procurement centres in Bihar during the Kharif marketing season 2002-2003.as against the 40 centres being operated by FCI and the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies in the State. The storage capacity in the State will be strengthened by construction of additional three lakh tonnes under the seven year guarantee scheme of the Food Corporation of India.