Why Cheni flood moves Centre but Assam doesn't, asks Gogoi

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 5: The BJP-led Central government has shown its lackadaisical attitude towards Assam when it comes to releasing funds for flood relief, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said today, citing the Central government's quick and generous response to the Cheni floods.

Gogoi said that the Centre's lackadaisical attitude in the matter of flood relief fund to Assam has come to the fore as it is yet to send an assessment team to make a survey of the damages caused by floods this year that claimed several lives.

 "At the time of floods, the Union Home Minister gave assurance that there would be no dearth of relief fund for flood-hit Assam. Several months have elapsed, the Centre is yet to depute an assessment team to the State," said Gogoi, adding that the laidback approach of the Modi-led Government has added to the woes of the people.

The Chief Minister said while the Centre has been quick to announce special packages for Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil du, it is yet to send a fact-finding team to Assam to take stock of the damage wrecked by floods this year. "The Centre is quick to respond when calamities like floods hit other States but when it comes to Assam and other Northeastern States, it is always found wanting," Gogoi said, adding, "How can such a laidback approach help in boosting the Modi government's Act East policy?"

"The Centre has also not provided any separate flood relief fund to the State. Whatever amount we have got, that is due under the SDRF. In any case, we would have received it," Gogoi added.

The Chief Minister said that in addition to SDRF, the Disaster Magement Act has provided for giving special Central assistance to any State through a separate fund called tiol Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to deal with any situation arising out of various tural calamities.

At least 64 lives were lost and 36.67 lakh people affected in the five waves of floods that ravaged Assam this year.