Eastern Kosi Canal project extended

The Planning Commission has agreed to extend time for the completion of Eastern Kosi Canal System (ERM) of Bihar by one year. This follows a request by the Bihar Government, a Plan panel release said. The scheme is to be executed according to approved outlays in the State Plan and should be completed by March 2013, it said. However, it said the State Government could take further steps to avail Central assistance for the project as a flood-prone area. The Plan panel asked the State Finance Department to restrict expenditure to the approved cost.