Assam Floods: Calls for Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Increased Aid
Urgent Need for Rehabilitation in Assam
IAF officials conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Assam and Nagaland. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, Jul 29: With increasing demands for the floods in Assam to be classified as a national disaster, opposition leaders are advocating for a thorough rehabilitation plan. They are urging both the state and central governments to extend their efforts beyond immediate relief.
Debabrata Saikia, a former Leader of the Opposition and ex-MLA from Nazira, has called on the Assam government to initiate a Special Integrated Dikhow River Basin Rehabilitation Project through the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) and the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY).
In a memorandum directed to Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, Saikia emphasized that the destruction caused by the recent floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and surrounding areas necessitates a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy rather than just temporary relief measures.
Identifying Sivasagar as one of the most severely impacted districts, the Congress leader noted that approximately 300,000 individuals were affected during various phases of the flooding.
Saikia suggested that the entire Dikhow River Basin be designated as a special rehabilitation project under the DMFT and PMKKKY, asserting that communities impacted by mining deserve statutory support for environmental restoration and recovery of livelihoods.
While he refrained from directly linking the floods to mining activities, he stated that a scientific assessment is needed to understand the exact causes.
He called for an expert investigation to ascertain whether authorized and illegal mining, alterations in river morphology, and other human activities have exacerbated the disaster.
The memorandum proposed forming a high-level expert committee that would include officials from the Mines and Minerals Department, Water Resources Department, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), IIT Guwahati, river scientists, environmental specialists, and representatives from affected communities to evaluate the cumulative effects of mining on the Dikhow basin.
Saikia also requested the establishment of permanent disaster-resilient housing, livelihood restoration grants, scientific removal of sand and silt from agricultural lands, reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure, ecological restoration of the Dikhow River, stricter oversight of mining operations, and transparent use of DMFT funds.
He argued that the compensation announced by the state government is insufficient for families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi called for a significant increase in financial aid for families affected by the floods, stating that the current relief package does not adequately reflect the extent of the losses.
During a press conference in Sivasagar, Gogoi praised the government's decision to expand benefits under the Orunodoi scheme but urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to ensure that every woman from flood-affected families receives support.
Displaying images of damaged homes and submerged villages, Gogoi highlighted that the floods have impacted not only economically disadvantaged groups but also middle-class families, leading to substantial losses in property and livelihoods.
He called for increased intervention from the central government, urging the Chief Minister to present evidence of the devastation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request a comprehensive financial package for Assam.
Gogoi demanded a one-time compensation of ₹10 lakh for each flood-affected family and sought a special relief package of ₹400 crore from the Centre for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the Sivasagar Assembly constituency, where he claimed nearly 40,000 families have been affected.
He also questioned the adequacy of the state's announced ₹15,000 assistance for severely affected families and alleged that despite the Chief Minister's recent visit to New Delhi, Assam has not secured a special financial package from the Centre.
Warning of escalating protests, Gogoi stated that he would lead demonstrations, including outside the Chief Minister's residence, if the government does not significantly increase compensation for flood victims.