Money allegedly collected from flood victims for distribution of relief items

Strict action will be taken against those who involved, assures Nagaon DC

A CORRESPONDENT

NAGAON: The flood scene still remains unchanged in Nagaon district and over 5.9 lakh people in around 331 revenue villages under Kampur, Nagaon, Raha, Dhing, Samaguri and Rupahi revenue circles are still reeling under flood water till the time of filing this report, sources added.

Besides, taking the advantages to distribute flood relief including rice, dal and other essential commodities among the flood victims across the district, a section of people engaged in distribution system, including village headmen, allegedly collected Rs 20-Rs 30 in the name of distribution of essential commodities from each of these beneficiaries in the flood ravaged areas, especially at Kampur as well as at Phulguri Mohgarh in the greater Raha area.

While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ensured sufficient supplies of food, sanitary and other facilities to the flood-hit people, at that time, collection of money from these flood ravaged people by a section of people engaged in flood relief distribution system has drawn wide reaction among all in the district.

Reacting sharply to such malpractices initiated by some agents engaged in the relief distribution system, many inmates as well as other flood-hit people alleged that the distributor agents who went to distribute food and other essential commodities at Bahakabari and Garukhanda villages, allegedly distributed 1 kg rice, 200 gm dal, 200 ml mustard oil per head among the flood-hit families in the village and took Rs 30 from each family for that.

Similarly, the village headman of Phulguri Mohgarh area, which is not far from the residence of Raha MLA Sashi Kanta Das, allegedly took Rs 20 from every flood-hit family in exchange of a packet of flood relief containing 1 kg rice, 200 gm dal, 200 ml mustard oil and 200gm salt.

However, they alleged further that such packets of food and other essential commodities were being distributed once in a week with which they had to survive.

Meanwhile, Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Nisarg Hivare was intimated about such malpractices on Friday during his visit to Kampur Puthimari area. He said he would take strict action against those who involved. On the other hand, Palash Ranjan Changmai, the state general secretary of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on Friday arrived at Nagaon and reviewed the flood situation at various places in Nagaon and Raha revenue circles.

During his visit, the student leader went to Rantholi Rojabheti, Jhalah, Ujoragaon, Adarshgaon (under Nagaon revenue circle), Raha Choki, Majgaon, Durgajan (under Raha revenue circle) and took stock of the damages as well as hardships of the flood-affected people.

During his trip to the district, the student leader criticized the union ministers saying that no minister from the Centre could dare to come to Assam during this period of crisis and also took a dig at them asking why the Union Government had not been declared any special package for the State to combat the situation during these crucial hours. Changmai was accompanied by district president and secretary of the organization, Deepmoni Bora and Pragjyotish Bonia respectively, and other leaders. The district body of the organization also distributed packets of food and other essential commodities among the flood-hit people in those areas.

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