PATNA, July 11 -- Bihar finance minister Samrat Choudhary and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Choudhary on Thursday strongly batted for the interests of Bihar at the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah, in Ranchi. Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for their focus on Bihar's development as the growth engine of the eastern region's progress, Samrat Choudhary called for the need of a comprehensive silt management policy to mitigate chronic flooding in rivers like Ganga, Kosi and others. He also referred to the Indrapuri barrage and Bansagar agreement. Bansagar agreement was among Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh concerning the allocation of water for irrigation and other purposes from the Sone river, primarily utilising the Bansagar dam and its reservoir. "As per the formula worked out, Bihar was to get 5.75 MAF and Jharkhand 2 MAF," he added. Maintaining that there was agreement on silt management policy, he said the Farakka barrage was also affecting the incessant flow of the Ganga in Bihar and there was a need for anti-erosion work on the Bihar-West Bengal border to maintain it. "I requested the Centre to bear 100% expense on this and I am positive about it," he added. Talking to media persons he said, he also raised the issue of water management of rivers like Ganga and those originating from Nepal and other states. "The meeting is crucial for resolving pending inter-state issues concerning Bihar and other Eastern Zonal Council states through proper coordination for holistic development of the region. The talks were positive," Samrat Choudhary said. Choudhary said the council was an important forum for resolving long pending disputes and irritants among the member states. "Even after bifurcation of Bihar to create Jharkhand, the issues related to assets distribution remain and we hope that will be resolved due to the way Amit Shah has been working in that direction," he added. He further said it was a big opportunity to raise issues in the interest of Bihar and resolve the outstanding issues, including river water sharing and disputes related to assets division. Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the water resources department charge, said the meeting was an important initiative to ensure smooth coordination between the Centre and the state and give a new direction to eastern region's progress, especially Bihar, to add pace to the efforts of building a developed India. The last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was held in Patna on December 10, 2023 and it had taken up 21 issues. The zonal councils play an advisory role, but over the years these councils have emerged as an important mechanism for promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, who is vice chairman as the host state, Odisha CM Mohancharan Manjhi, and the representatives of Bihar and West Bengal participated in the meeting....