Assam's Flood Crisis: A Call for Central Government Action

Unfulfilled Promises on Flood Management

Guwahati, Aug 6: It has been over twenty years since the Central Government vowed to address the issues of flooding and erosion in Assam as national concerns, yet this commitment has not translated into action, leaving the situation unchanged.

On May 5, 2005, a meeting led by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh brought together representatives from the Central and State Governments along with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) to discuss the Assam Accord's implementation. During this meeting, Dr. Singh assured that flooding and erosion would be treated as national issues, and the government even published advertisements regarding this commitment.

In an interview, AASU president Utpal Sarma expressed disappointment that the Central Government has failed to initiate any permanent solutions to these pressing issues. He emphasized the need for scientific research and sufficient funding from the Centre, which has yet to materialize.

The State Government alone cannot resolve these challenges; it is imperative for the Centre to take decisive action. A collaborative approach among all states in the region is essential to effectively manage flooding, with the Centre playing a pivotal role.

Sarma recalled that in 2021, the Union Home Minister promised to create a flood-free Assam by constructing 50 large lakes, a pledge reiterated in 2026, yet no tangible progress has been observed. He urged the Home Minister to visit Assam to assess the dire situation firsthand.

“Assam has consistently faced flooding, but this year’s events have been catastrophic. The Centre must announce a special relief package for Assam to help navigate this crisis,” Sarma stated. He further noted that if the Centre can allocate special funds to other states for flood management, there is no justification for not doing the same for Assam.