Assam Floods 2020: Central aid of Rs 2642 crore sought for restoration work

INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE IN FLOODS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has sought financial assistance of Rs 2642.99 crore from the Central government to carry out restoration work of the large-scale infrastructure damage caused by the floods in 2020. In this regard, State Chief Secretary JishnuBarua submitted the State government's final memorandum – 'Assam Floods-2020' to the Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The State government has urged the Centre to release the funds under the SDRF/NDRF (State Disaster Response Fund/National Disaster Response Fund).

The report was prepared by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) with feedbacks from all departments concerned.

On July 27, 2020, the State government had submitted an Interim Memorandum seeking fund amounting to Rs 2288.57 crore from the Government of India.

The memorandum pointed out, "With the limited resources at the disposal of the State Government, it is unable to meet the huge expenditure for recovery, reconstruction and restoration of the damaged infrastructure during the floods in 2020."

During that period, many parts of the State were reeling under flood water. Hence, proper assessment of damage was not possible and a tentative estimation was provided by the affected districts and the departments. After flood water receded, an assessment was carried out. However, the fourth wave of flood hit the State between October 19 and October 28, 2020.

An Inter-Ministerial Central team also visited Assam to assess the ground situation from August 26 to 28, 2020.

The requirements of a few departments are as follows: Water Resources (Rs 1194.97 crore); PWD (Rs 630.13 crore); Panchayat & Rural Development (Rs 201.90 crore); Agriculture (Rs 145.87 crore); Housing (Rs 93.36 crore); Irrigation (Rs 54.95 crore); Social Welfare (Rs 33.24 crore); Elementary Education (Rs 30.59 crore); Power (Rs 17. 83 crore); PHE (Rs 15.99 crore); Envireonment& Forest (Rs 13.06 crore); and Fishery (Rs 11.14 crore).

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