(a) whether the Government provided boats to flood affected States including Bihar;
(b) whether these boats were purchased or hired;
(c) whether all the boats were returned by the State Governments in good condition;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) if not, whether the Government reimbursed the cost of damaged boats or those which were not returned by the boatmen; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) to (f): Yes, Madam. The boats provided to the States including Bihar, have been purchased by Government of India. The boats are integral part of the Natural Disaster Response Force/Armed Forces and are deployed along with the response forces. As such only boats are never provided to the States by Government of India. The cost of utilization of boats along with manpower in the case of National Disaster Response Force is borne by Government of India, whereas in the case of Armed Forces, it is got reimbursed from the State Governments under the authority of Aid to Civil Power.