STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has written to the Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, seeking urgent intervention over the worsening drought-like conditions across several districts of the state during the ongoing Kharif season.
In his letter, Saikia cited alarming data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which indicates a 42% rainfall deficit in Assam between June 1 and July 16, 2025. He emphasized that this has rendered vast swathes of agricultural land unproductive, putting the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers—especially those dependent on paddy cultivation—at serious risk.
The districts worst affected by the rainfall deficit include Barpeta, Bajali, Baksa, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Nalbari, Tamulpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur.
Saikia highlighted multiple reports, including one by the Department of Science and Technology, identifying Assam districts as highly vulnerable to both drought and floods. He also pointed to the failure of irrigation systems as a major contributing factor, citing that only 24.28% of the state’s cultivable land is covered under irrigation—a fact previously disclosed in the state assembly by Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal.
Furthermore, Saikia warned of the broader impact on Assam’s century-old tea cultivation, which he said is now threatened by erratic rainfall patterns and extreme temperatures caused by climate change.
In his appeal, the opposition leader urged the Governor to (i) officially declare drought-like conditions in the affected districts, (ii) disburse Rs 50,000 compensation per affected farmer, including sharecroppers, (iii) initiate emergency irrigation relief using pump sets and tankers distribute drought-resistant seeds and fertilizers free or at subsidized rates, (iv) release pending MGNREGA wages and increase rural employment days, and (v) audit and revive defunct irrigation schemes and tube wells.
Calling the situation a “moral and constitutional imperative,” Saikia urged the Governor to direct the state government to act swiftly and decisively in support of the agrarian community.
“The crisis, if left unchecked, threatens the livelihood of over 70% of the rural population. This is a matter of human survival and state accountability,” he wrote.
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