Assam Floods: Rs 122 crore for damaged houses

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The statistics given by Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Jogen Mohan speak volumes about the damage caused by floods in the state from April this year. The rehabilitation grants (RG) for damaged houses alone will cost the state exchequer Rs 122.74 crore.

Talking to the media today, Minister Jogen Mohan said, "According to preliminary reports received till August 1, floods damaged 5,673 PWD roads, 234 bridges and 224 embankment spots in the state. And the assessment of damage suffered by other departments like Agriculture, Irrigation, Fishery, APDCL etc., is going on. The government will take policy decisions on infrastructure damage by floods after Independence Day."

The minister said, "The reports of the deputy commissioners on damaged houses were almost correct, barring a few additions and deletions after cross-verification by 17 teams led by ministers. Till August 1, the floods fully damaged 5,532 houses and partially damaged 35,635 pucca houses, 1,51,774 kutcha houses and 3,316 hutments. The floods also damaged 8,753 cattle sheds. The government will pay Rs 122.74 crore as rehabilitation grants for these damaged houses within August 15. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will launch the ceremonial distribution of these rehabilitation grants in the DBT (Direct Bank Transfer) mode."

Floods and landslides claimed 199 human lives in the state till today. The deluge also affected 1,000 villages in 34 districts.

The minister said the government would launch Mission Basundhara-II on October 2, 2022. "In Mission Basundhara I, we tried to resolve land-related problems of people. Mission Basundhara-II will be more people-friendly. The thrust is on land rights for tribal people. The government is contemplating a separate land policy for tribal people. Eligible landless people in Guwahati will also get land rights."

Also Read:   Rs 132 cr earmarked for flood-damaged houses; Dispur plans to disburse DBT grant before August 15

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