The Bihar government has unveiled a targeted cash‑relief scheme for women who delivered babies during the recent flood‑driven evacuations across the state’s Ganga basin. Under the plan, mothers of newborn girls will receive Rs15,000, while those with boys will be allotted Rs10,000. The assistance is limited to the 12 districts most severely affected by the floods, where thousands of families have been forced to seek temporary shelter.
The floods, which began in early August, have inundated large swathes of the Ganga river’s floodplain, prompting mass evacuations in districts such as Patna, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur. Health officials reported a spike in obstetric emergencies as pregnant women were displaced from homes and health facilities. In response, the state’s disaster management authority coordinated with district medical officers to set up temporary maternity wards in relief camps, ensuring that deliveries could be attended to safely.
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The cash‑relief announcement was made by the state’s chief minister’s office on Thursday, citing the need to offset the additional financial burden faced by families who lost property, livelihood, and access to regular health services. The scheme is part of a broader relief package that includes food grains, shelter kits, and reconstruction grants for damaged homes. Officials said the funds will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the existing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Eligibility criteria require proof of birth during the evacuation period, a valid identification document, and verification by the local disaster management officer. District collectors in the 12 designated districts have been instructed to set up help desks at relief centers to assist mothers in completing the necessary paperwork. The government has earmarked a total of Rs1.2 billion for the scheme, a figure that reflects both the scale of the disaster and the priority given to maternal health in emergency response.
The relief measure arrives as the monsoon season continues, with forecasts indicating further rainfall in the region. Authorities warn that additional displacement could occur, and they are urging families to register with local relief agencies promptly. The cash assistance is intended to provide immediate financial support while longer‑term rehabilitation plans are being finalized.
