Concerns Raised Over Flood Relief Distribution in Assam
Allegations of Irregularities in Relief Distribution
A file image of a woman wading through floodwaters in a village in Sivasagar. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, Aug 13: Debabrata Saikia, a prominent Congress figure and former Leader of the Opposition in Assam, has called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to address alleged discrepancies in the distribution of flood relief in Nazira and surrounding regions. He claims that numerous families genuinely affected by the floods have been excluded from the beneficiary lists.
In a letter directed to Sarma on Thursday, Saikia accused the authorities of preparing and approving relief lists for flood-affected families in Sintak Bormising, N-Kapahua, Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat, and other areas on a “partisan basis,” thereby denying assistance to many deserving households.
“Numerous families whose homes were either completely submerged or significantly damaged during the floods have yet to receive any relief,” the letter, written in Assamese, stated.
Saikia highlighted complaints from residents of Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat, who alleged that the panchayat president had not acted fairly, resulting in a selectively prepared beneficiary list that overlooked genuine flood victims.
His correspondence also referenced two specific incidents to illustrate what he termed deficiencies in flood relief and emergency response in Nazira.
He mentioned the case of Gyanjit Barua, who passed away on July 20. His wife, Chandraprabha Barua, claimed that no transportation was available to take him to the hospital for dialysis during the floods. The family reached out to 108, the local police station, and the gaonburha, but help did not arrive in time.
Saikia described this as a “serious failure” in emergency response and requested Rs 9 lakh in compensation for Barua’s family from the NDRF and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, urging that the death be classified as flood-related.
Additionally, he cited Moni Borgohain from N-Kapahua, who reported that despite the area being flooded, no family had received the promised Rs 15,000 relief.
“Not a single family in the locality has received the promised Rs 15,000 relief,” Saikia quoted the complaint as stating.
He urged the Chief Minister to ensure that relief reaches the affected families in Sintak Bormising, N-Kapahua, Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat, and other regions, while also calling for an impartial investigation into the selection of beneficiaries, the distribution of relief, and the emergency response efforts.