Bihar government today began releasing water to Uttar Pradesh through the Gandak Canal System following a directive to this effect from the Central Water Commission. AIR Patna correspondent reports that the state government will continue to release water up to March 10 to provide irrigation for Rabi crop in the eastern region of the Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Bihar Water Resorces Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhar told AIR that the decision to stop release of water from the Gandak barrage till June this year was taken after approval of the central government in consultation with Nepal and Uttar Pradesh. It was aimed at facilitating renovation of the Gandak Canal System and construction of the canal under the Nepal benefit scheme.