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      | Patna, (Bihar Times): The chief minister, Nitish Kumar,
on   Tuesday urged the top officials of the leading
international banks to provide   financial aid worth
over Rs 3,000 crore for construction   of an
earthquake-resistance and flood-proof panchyat   bhawan
(building) in each of the 8,712 panchayats of the
state. Apart from   this they have been asked to make
investments for improving   infrastructure.
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  Top officials of the World Bank, UK-based   Department
    For International Development (DFID), Asian  
    Development Bank and Japan Bank of   International  
    Cooperation, who were present on the   occasion,
  responded positively.
 
 The chief minister said that   these
    earthquake-resistance and flood-proof community
    buildings in   panchayats would also provide shelter to
    the marooned people at the time of   floods. In return
    the bank officials showed keen interest in   developing
    infrastructure of the state. The officials of the
    Japan Bank of   International Cooperation agreed to  
    prepare projects for expansion and   strengthening of
    
    roads in Buddhist circuit areas around the   state
    capital.
 
 The country director (India) of World Bank,   Ishadil
    Guerrero, reputed economist Dipak Dasgupta, the
    country director   of ADB, Tadash Konado, Sushanna
    Moorehead, head of DFID, were, among others,   who
    attended the meeting.
 
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