AGP accuses Assam govt of failing to protect embankments

Guwahati, Aug 2 (UNI) Assam's main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today alleged complete failure on the part of the state government to control the flood situation, especially with regard to construction and repairing of embankments.

''The government has completely failed in this issue and the entire Water Resources Development department has been transformed into a hotbed of corruption,'' Leader of the Opposition Chandra Mohan Patowary said here.

He accused Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of protecting Water Resources Development Minister Bharat Narah, with the latter facing serious charges of corruption.

Mr Patowary pointed out that the government had itself conceded that the life of about 90 per cent of embankments in the state had expired but the administration had failed to take any concrete step in this regard.

Citing the examples of Matmora embankment in Lakhimpur and Narayanguri in Barpeta that were washed away last year and created great devastation, Mr Patowary said these were yet to be repaired.

''The AGP had raised the issue of repairing of damaged embankments before the floods but the government did not react,'' he said.

The AGP leader alleged that victims of 2004 flood were still to receive aid, especially in Majuli, the world's largest freshwater island, that was being threatened by the breach of the Matmora embankment.

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