Assam govt needs special assistance for flood and erosion

Guwahati, Jul 25: Assam requires special assistance to tackle the twin problems of flood and erosion instead of routine funds, the state government said today.

"We have to bring it in priority list. We need special treatment and funds for handling flood and erosion problems. So far we are getting normal fund under the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) category," Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta told the state Assembly.

He said the funds received through SDRF could not be utilised for erosion caused by rivers, but it can be used for the same if caused by the sea as per the guidelines.

Previous governments had failed to get the Centre declare the perennial problem of Assam flood as 'National Calamity', Mahanta said in reply to a question by Asom Gana Parishad MLA Pabindra Deka.

The minister said as of today, over 6.41 lakh people were suffering from the latest wave of flood across more than 1,200 villages in 14 districts.

In 81 relief camps, 21,931 people have taken shelter. Besides, the flood has caused massive erosion in many parts of the state, Mahanta said, adding the government has ordered all departments concerned to take steps to handle the situation.

PTI