Bihar should test more to control Covid: Paswan | Economic Times

Bihar needs to increase testing urgently in order to control the spread of Covid-19 in the state, said Union food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan. In an exclusive interview with Kumar Anshuman, the Lok Janshakti Party leader spoke about his ministry’s work in supplying food grains, his personal political commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his son Chirag taking charge of LJP. Edited excerpts: States such as Bihar and Assam have been devastated by floods, apart from Covid-19. Have you received any demands from these states for additional supply of foodgrain?I haven’t received any further demands as of now. We are already offering free ration to a large section of people across the country. The PMGKY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana) was extended till November 2020. After the extension from July 8 to July 27, 83% of the allocation has already been handed over to the state governments for further distribution to beneficiaries. It is for the states to distribute it now. It will ensure that foodgrain reach every nook and corner of the country as per allocations and the stated objective of the government that no poor person will have to remain hungry for want of food will be achieved.Bihar faces a flood crisis almost every year. Don’t you think there should be a permanent solution to the crisis?Not the entire Bihar but only 12-13 districts of north Bihar get affected by floods. Central and south Bihar largely remain unaffected and at times face a drought. There are several reasons for the floods. Of course, water released from the Nepal side is one of the major problems. Over the years the riverbed is also getting filled with sand and silt. Former PM Atal ji had proposed interlinking of rivers in order to channelise water from flood areas to drought-affected regions. Experts can say more but this could be a way to manage the flood situation in the state. Covid-19 gripped Bihar a little later than it did many other states. How do you view the current situation?I think Bihar needs to improve on testing. The state should test more and more to get a grip on the epidemic. Look at states like Delhi, Maharashtra, UP. These states are testing much more as compared to Bihar and their situation is improving very fast. Now a central government team has visited Bihar and I hope things will improve going forward.Under these circumstances, do you think elections should take place on time in the state?This is for the Election Commission to decide. I can’t comment on that.There is a lot of talk of growing differences among NDA partners before the elections. Is the LJP unhappy within the NDA?I am part of the central government. I can speak for my ministry-related work. For the party, there is party president Chirag Paswan. I have left it to him to take a decision and comment on these issues. I don’t interfere in his responsibility. As far as I am concerned, PM Modi is my leader and I am committed to him.Why is the LJP bringing out a separate manifesto called ‘Bihar First Bihari First’ despite being part of the NDA?What’s the harm? Every party brings out their vision document. There is nothing more to it. Every party has different views on different subjects. When they come together they respect each other’s point of view.The LJP and JDU had started off very well initially. What went wrong going thereafter?Again, you are asking the wrong person. My concern is not to let a food shortage in any part of the country. For all political questions, you better speak to Chirag Paswan.