Centre yet to release funds to tackle flood, erosion: Gogoi

Guwahati, Aug 3: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today alleged that the Centre is yet to release Rs 1,274 crore to solve the age-old twin problem of flood and erosion in the state.

In an official release, Gogoi said the state government had been taking up a slew of measures to find solution to flood and erosion, but the Centre has not taken any initiative so far. He said that "the Central government is yet to release a whopping Rs 25,707.97 lakh earmarked by the 11th Finance Commission against 100 schemes."

"It is unfortunate and disquieting that the present Central government did not release the funds despite the state government releasing completely its share of funds," he said. "Moreover, the Central government is yet to release Rs 1,01,660.39 lakh earmarked by the 12th Finance Commission against 41 schemes," the statement said.

Gogoi said the state government has been taking up a host of measures to control the problems of flood and erosion in the state out of its own resources, notwithstanding the fact that the Centre was yet to release the funds.

He alleged that the present Central government has adopted a "lackadaisical attitude" towards solving the burning problems confronting the state, including the perennial flood and erosion problems. Gogoi also said though the Centre has decided to rechristen the Brahmaputra Board, nothing concrete has emerged so far.

PTI