Gogoi announce Rs 100 crore for flood-hit Assam

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday announced a Rs 100 crore grant for development of the flood-ravaged Dhemaji district in the state.

Over 1.54 lakh people from over 260 villages were severely affected by flash floods of Gai-nadi and Jiadhal rivers on August 15 last leaving the infrastructure in the state in shambles.

The chief minister made the announcement after making an on-the-spot assessment of flood-affected districts on Tuesday. Gogoi also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the flood. Those who have lost their 'pucca' houses in the flood have been promised Rs 25,000 per family, while Rs 10, 000 per family will be given to people whose thatched houses were swept away in the flash flood.

Gogoi also assured special assistance to students of the district affected by the flood, according to an official source.

At a meeting with officials from the district administration, railways and Border Road Organisation, Gogoi gave instructions to the restore the course of Gai-nadi that caused the devastation by changing the course on August 15 last near Sisiborgaon. He instructed the Deputy Commissioner to prepare an elaborate plan for infrastructure development of flood-ravaged Dhemaji district.

Gogoi said cooperation of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh government was essential to resolve the problem of perennial flooding and erosion in Dhemaji district, which is always at the receiving end when rivers flowing from Arunachal Hill are on the spate.

Gogoi said he would take up the formation of North Eastern Water Resources Authority to put up a coordinated regional effort against flood and erosion problem with the prime minister. However, the Arunachal Pradesh government is opposed to the concept of NEWRA.

The chief minister issued strict instructions to the district administration to maintain continuous supply of food, medicines, drinking water and clothes to the flood-affected people.