Patna, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
RJD leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday urged the Centre and the state government to provide immediate financial assistance of at least Rs 15,000 to each family affected by floods and drought, while demanding that the situation in the state be declared a national disaster.
Addressing a press conference in Patna, Yadav said Bihar was facing a “twin crisis” of floods and drought. He claimed that more than 45 lakh people had been affected by floods, while several areas were experiencing drought-like conditions because of deficient rainfall.
Citing available data, Yadav said Bihar had received around 35-36 per cent less rainfall than normal by mid-September. He said crops had been damaged in several areas and demanded a comprehensive survey to assess losses and identify affected farmers and families.
Yadav also criticised the Centre and the Bihar government over relief measures, alleging that community kitchens and relief camps in flood-hit areas were not operated for a sufficient period.
“Even after the water recedes, the problems of affected families do not end. They need food, clothes, utensils and other essential items,” he said.
Questioning the conduct of government programmes during the crisis, Yadav referred to the lighting ceremony organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. He alleged that government resources were being used for such events while parts of Bihar were dealing with floods and drought, and said relief and rehabilitation should have been prioritised.
Yadav claimed that the Mahagathbandhan government in 2015 had decided to earmark four per cent of the state budget for disaster relief. He questioned the present government over the utilisation of funds and the extent of relief reaching affected people.
He reiterated his demand for the Centre to declare the situation in Bihar a national disaster, alleging that several problems remained unresolved even after a central team visited the state.
Yadav also questioned why drought-affected districts were not included when the Union Agriculture Minister visited flood-hit areas. Referring to schemes and mechanisms including PM-KISAN and the PM CARES Fund, he sought clarity on the assistance being extended to Bihar.
He urged BJP state president Nitin Nabin to request Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister and Union Agriculture Minister to visit flood- and drought-affected areas.
Yadav called for a proper survey of affected farmers and families and immediate financial assistance of at least Rs 15,000 each, stressing that relief and rehabilitation should take precedence over political events.
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