Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government has requested for a Central package from the Centre for relief and rehabilitation of the people ravaged by an unprecedented flood in the worst-hit districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat.
The state government has made the request before the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which concluded its four-day tour to flood-devastated districts of Upper Assam on Wednesday.
“We have sought a dedicated Central support package for Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat covering relief, housing, infrastructure and livelihood restoration,” the Chief Minister said.
“The floods this year has been on an unprecedented scale, leaving behind a trail of devastation which our Double Engine Govt will mitigate to sufferings of our people,” Sarma said.
He said that the state government has urged for recognition of the Upper Assam floods as an “atypical, high-intensity, rapid-onset event” with flexible norms for damage assessment and assistance.
“As assured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Inter-Ministerial Central Team visited the worst-affected districts of Upper Assam to undertake an on-ground assessment and review the ongoing relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts. During the review, the team was apprised of the extensive damage caused to critical infrastructure, agriculture and livelihoods,” Sarma said.
“We have also asked for relaxation of documentation and eligibility norms under Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to enable affected households to access hassle free support, a district-wise reconstruction plan for roads, bridges, schools, health, water and power infrastructure, and a rapid multi-agency assessment and strengthening of breached embankments on hill-fed rivers before the next monsoon,” he said.
The Assam government also wants convergence of disaster assistance with national programmes for housing, water, agriculture, health and social protection, along with targeted support for women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Sarma said that the establishment of a North East disaster risk reduction mechanisms to strengthen regional coordination across all phases of disaster management covering Assam and the seven neighbouring states.
“We are confident that the team will keep the ground realities and our best interests in mind and communicate to the Centre accordingly,” he added.
