MP moves Maneka for Swadhar Grehs

GUWAHATI, Aug 14: Barpeta MP Sirajul Ajmal has moved Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi with the request of granting ten ‘Swadhar Greh’ for the people who become landless and homeless every year in Dhubri and Barpeta districts in Assam due to devastating floods and erosion. According to the MP, over 5,000 square km of arable land has been lost in Assam in the past 67 years due to floods and erosion, rendering around two million people landless and homeless. Along with their land, according to the MP, such people lose their social identity and backup within the rural community.

“Dhubri and Barpeta districts of Assam are mostly affected by erosion and flood. Two-hundred villages are fully affected and some others are affected partially,” the MP said, and added that a number of historical places – Fakirganj Bazar, South Salmara, Fulkatari, Patakata Bazar, Phulikata zar, New Ghat, Townbari Bazar, Khola Bandha, Moinbari, Hadira Chaki Flora, Chatia etc – have disappeared in the Brahmaputra Valley.” The MP further said: “…several lakhs of destitute families are now living in different reserve lands and also along embankments in the State…Since the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has provision for ‘Swadhar Greh’ for such calamity victims, we request you to grant at least ten such ‘Swadhar Greh’ for Dhubri and Barpeta districts in Assam.”