Nitish seeks financial package for Bihar

New Delhi, Oct 27: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought a Rs 17,200 crore special financial assistance for the flood-ravaged state and a separate package for the victims of the Bhagalpur riots on the lines of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

After his meeting with the Prime Minister at his residence here, Kumar told reporters special assistance would be utilised for flood moderation, inter-linking of rivers and road reconstruction besides taking care of housing and other flood-related expenditure.

Kumar said that he drew Singh's attention towards the power scenario in the state and sought additional allocation of 300 MW power from central pool.

He also spoke to Dr Singh of Bihar's long-pending request for relief package to Bhagalpur riot victims.

Kumar, who had earlier this month taken up the matter with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said that Singh assured him all possible help so that the problems could be attended to urgently.