So much water? Minister inspects flood relief kitchen, pulls up cook over dal

Bihar Disaster Management Minister Ratnesh Sada inspected a community kitchen in flood-hit Katihar and questioned staff and officials over watery dal served to residents. The visit highlighted the need for tighter local implementation as relief measures continued across the district.The minister expressed his displeasure with the cook and questioned him over the preparation of the food. (Credits: Bipul Rahul)Bihar Disaster Management Minister Ratnesh Sada pulled up a cook at a community kitchen in flood-hit Katihar after finding an excessive amount of water in the dal being served to flood victims.The minister personally inspected the food during his visit to relief centres in Manihari block and questioned local officials over the quality of meals being provided.Sada was visiting several flood-affected areas of Manihari to assess relief arrangements when he reached the community kitchen in Azampur Gola, Ward No 9. Residents had complained about the food being served there, prompting the minister to inspect the meal himself.He took the food out of a container and examined it before noticing that the dal contained a large amount of water. Sada then expressed his displeasure with the cook and questioned him over the preparation of the food. “De denge... dehe par dhaar denge, samajh nahi hai tumko (You'll get it from me, you don't understand),” the minister was heard telling the cook.MINISTER QUESTIONS CIRCLE OFFICERSada subsequently asked for the local circle officer (CO), who is responsible for overseeing relief arrangements at the local level, including community kitchens and assistance to flood-affected residents. When the CO identified himself, the minister asked him, “Aise banta hai khana (Is this how food is prepared)?” The officer responded that the community kitchen had started functioning only that day.The minister then questioned whether the fact that it had only started that day justified the amount of water in the dal. He also asked the officials to show him the rice being served.Katihar District Magistrate was present during the inspection and directed the CO to increase the quantity of dal being provided to flood victims. Sada then inspected the rice and other food items at the kitchen before continuing his visit.MINISTER VISITS SEVERAL FLOOD-HIT AREASThe minister visited Azampur Gola in Ward No 9, Naya Tola in Ward No 1 and Signal Tola in Ward No 8, where he met residents affected by the flooding and reviewed the relief arrangements.Sada said the floods were a natural disaster that was beyond anyone's control and stressed the need for authorities to work together so that affected residents did not face difficulties.He said relief measures had been provided across the four flood-affected blocks of Katihar, including polythene kits, community kitchens, animal fodder, toilets, clean drinking water and hand pumps.The minister said the number of community kitchens would be increased wherever necessary and assured residents that there would be no shortage of essential relief facilities.BOAT AMBULANCES DEPLOYED FOR FLOOD VICTIMSAsked about the need for boat ambulances in flood-affected areas, Sada welcomed the arrangement and thanked the district administration for ensuring their availability.He also praised Katihar's district administration, saying the District Magistrate was personally attentive to the needs of flood victims.The minister's inspection, however, highlighted the importance of effective implementation at the local level.While the state government and district administration have put several relief measures in place, shortcomings in local execution can lead to complaints among those dependent on government assistance.With several parts of Katihar affected by flooding, coordination between local officials and the district administration remains crucial to ensure that food, drinking water, medical assistance and other essential relief reach affected residents without disruption.- EndsWith inputs from Bipul RahulPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 08:14 IST