Assam CM hands ₹1 crore to Barpeta bell metal society to promote indigenous crafts

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday handed over ₹ 1 crore to Bell Metal Artisans and Trading Co-operative Society Ltd, of Sarthebari in Barpeta as part of the Assam Government's initiative to provide financial assistance and promote indigenous crafts.

Sonowal during his Barpeta visit went to the Gohinpara area affected by the floodwaters of Pahumara River in the district and took stock of the damages. He also took stock of the flood-ravaged Doul Gosain Than and Bamkhata-Kenduguri road. The CM also distributed ₹4 lakh each to next of kin of flood victims of the area.

During his visit, Sonowal directed the Water Resource Minister to find a permanent solution of the perennial flood and erosion in the area after carrying out a scientific study of Pahumara River. He also asked the departments of agriculture, DRDA and soil conservation to erect agricultural embankments after consultation with the water resource department. 

Sonowal rued that 9 thousand hectares of lands are claimed by erosion every year in the state. Sonowal refuted the allegations made by the opposition that flood-affected people have not received any relief material and claimed that they were "completely baseless". He urged everyone, including journalists, to bring to the notice of administration if any flood victim is left out of the ambit of relief measures.

Sonowal also informed that the Central Government would take up the matter with neighboring Bhutan from where floodwaters come down every year to cause havoc in the state and he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a national committee which recommended setting up of North East Water Management Authority under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman.

The Chief Minister said that DCs of all districts have been directed to ensure the availability of relief materials, medical facility, cattle folders, etc for the flood-affected people. Later, he also visited the flood relief camp set up at Dakshin Barpeta Bidya Mandir High School at Barpeta town and interacted with the inmates there while taking stock of facilities provided to them.

Water Resource Minister Keshab Mahanta, Housefed Chairman Ranjit Kumar Das, MLAs Pabindra Deka, Ashok Sarma, DC and SP Barpeta and top officials of various departments accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.