Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The state Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today to discuss the emerging drought-like situation in Assam, which has hit the agriculture sector. During their meeting on Thursday, Minister Mahanta apprised the Union Home Minister of the ongoing drought-like conditions in several districts of the state and urged the central government to extend necessary assistance.
The minister informed Amit Shah that many districts in Assam-especially in Lower, Upper, and Central Assam-are facing severe water shortages in paddy fields due to irregular and significantly deficient rainfall this season, jeopardising livelihoods and food security in these regions. Although Assam usually receives substantial rainfall in July every year, this time the state has seen a drastic reduction in rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season.
In this context, Minister Mahanta requested the Union Home Minister to provide central assistance to Assam from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). During the meeting, he also handed over a formal letter to Amit Shah detailing the state's concerns.
The Union Home Minister expressed concern over the prevailing situation and assured the state government that the central government will consider the matter seriously. In the same letter, Minister Mahanta also requested early release of the remaining central funds under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).
Additionally, to enhance professional and technical capacity in disaster management in Assam and the Northeast, Minister Mahanta proposed the establishment of a regional campus of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in Assam. Highlighting the fragile geographical conditions of the Northeast-which is prone to floods, landslides, and earthquakes-the minister emphasized the urgent need for preparedness, professional training, and capacity building in the region.
He stated in the letter, "The proposed NIDM campus will provide specialised training, education, and research in disaster management for Assam and the entire Northeast region. The regional centre will offer technical expertise to state and district administrations and help build a skilled workforce across disaster management agencies of the Northeastern states." The centre would also strengthen ongoing efforts of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and similar institutions in other Northeastern states.
Moreover, to ensure real-time, accurate, and effective early warning dissemination to the public in the affected areas, Minister Mahanta submitted a proposal for implementing 'Cell Broadcasting' technology in Assam and sought the central government's approval and support for the same.
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