Assam: Congress alleges government failure in flood relief, seeks White Paper on damages
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati, August 8: The Assam Congress on Saturday accused the state government of failing to provide timely and adequate relief to flood-affected people and demanded a comprehensive White Paper on the extent of damage caused by the calamity.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora alleged that the government machinery remained ineffective during the initial days of the devastating floods, leaving private organisations and individuals from outside the state to step in and provide assistance to stranded people.
Questioning the collection of donations for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund amid alleged administrative failure, Bora asked the government to clarify how the funds were being utilised. “When the government has failed to provide even basic relief to flood victims, what is the need for collecting money from the public in the name of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund?” he said.
Bora claimed that the limited quantity of relief materials prescribed under the official Relief Manual was insufficient for people marooned in remote areas. He also criticised the alleged attempts to restrict NGOs and private groups from distributing food and clothing to affected families, terming such moves “undemocratic”.
Demanding greater transparency, Bora urged the government to immediately publish a White Paper detailing the number of affected villages, damaged houses, crop losses, deaths and the total financial loss caused by the floods. He also called for a high-level expert panel comprising river experts, flood specialists, IIT professors and scientists to study Assam’s recurring flood and erosion problems and suggest long-term solutions.
Meanwhile, former Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia accused the government of ignoring Gauhati High Court directions on unscientific mining and river protection. He alleged that despite court directives and assurances from the government, no effective action was taken against illegal mining activities.
Saikia claimed that extensive use of heavy machinery, including JCBs and Poclain excavators, in riverbeds had disturbed the ecological balance and aggravated flood-related problems. He further alleged that despite holding workshops on disaster management, government departments failed to arrange adequate rescue facilities during the crisis, forcing local residents to rescue stranded people using traditional boats.
Alleging political interference in flood relief distribution, Saikia claimed that since 2016 genuine victims had often been deprived of assistance, while non-affected persons received financial benefits.
Meanwhile, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) continued its relief activities in flood-hit areas. A delegation led by Ripun Bora and Debabrata Saikia distributed emergency relief materials among affected residents at Ward No. 6 of Bali Mising Gaon under Ramani Gaon Panchayat and the Tekelachuk area of Simoluguri Town.
The Congress leaders appealed to citizens to extend support to flood victims during the crisis and assured that party workers would continue reaching out to families who had been left without adequate assistance.
