Thursday, December 1 2005 17:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (December 1, 2005) said that sensitiveness of Nepal would be taken into account while addressing the problems of river systems in the wake of frequent floods in Bihar.

Making an intervention during question hour on backwardness of states like Bihar and Orissa, he pointed towards floods as one of the factors that influenced the pace of development.

"It is in recognition of that (floods), last year we appointed a task force to look at the whole problem of river system not only in the Northeastern region of the country but also in Bihar.

"That report is being received because the inter-state river systems are involved. Nepal is an important factor.

We will pursue that part to accelerate the pace of water resources taking into account the sensitivities of Nepal in that matter", Singh said.

He said several measures had been taken for Bihar and Orissa and the two states are the biggest beneficiaries in the first phase of the Food-for-Work Programme initiated in 150 districts under the Employment Guarantee Programme.

In addition, he said, the government has a special Programme for Bihar and Bolangir and Kalahandi districts of Orissa.