Patil announces 500 cr flood relief for Assam

Guwahati, Sep 14 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today announced Rs 500 crore flood relief package for Assam after making an aerial survey of the flood affected areas of Assam.

He flew in to Puthimari of lower Assam, Morigaon of Central Assam and Kaziranga National Park.

The flood water have now receded in most places.

Addressing a press conference here at the Borjhar airport, he asked Assam to make a comprehensive long term plan of flood control and said as per the present plan Rs 83,000 crore would be needed.

"This is an amount which can be channelized through the Finance Ministry as well as Ministry of Irrigation over a period of 15-20 years using international funding agencies. What we want a comprehensive plan taking all the states and stake holders together'' he said.

He also asked the state to judiciously use Rs 500 which would be released in phased manner while praising Assam for becoming an example for initiating flood relief measures on its own.

Assam revenue minister Bhumidhar Burman accompanied him to the affected areas.

Mr Patil later met senior officers of the Assam Government at the Borjhar airport and discussed about the possible short and long term steps for the flood management in Assam.

He assured that there would be no constraint of fund but insisted on long term plan to ease off the situation.

Assam was under flood from the third week of August and situation improved since past one week as most of the affected peoples are returning home.

UNI MT PC RN1959