GOI Assures Flood Affected NE Of Assistance & Cooperation

THE Centre has released Rs 340 crore to Assam as interim flood relief, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for DoNER and MOS in The Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh said. He made the announcement after reviewing the flood situation with officials from the State government in Guwahati .At a meeting organised to observe the imposition of Emergency in 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gagging the press, judiciary and imprisoning the opposition as a Black day Dr Singh said that of the total amount, Rs 239 crore is from the Ministry of Home Affairs under the National Disaster Relief Fund and the remaining Rs 101 crore has been released by DoNER. “This year the rains came earlier. I compliment the State government on the timely and prompt action taken by it for flood management. The Centre is monitoring the flood situation in Assam on a daily basis and we will extend all possible assistance,” Dr Singh said. State government officials have been advised to be prepared to pre-empt any epidemics which may take place once flood waters recede. Singh said that BJP is observing imposition of the dreaded Emergency as ‘Black Day’’ nationwide. It was the “darkest chapter in the history of Indian democracy”. The younger generations must be made aware of the Emergency.“This was the darkest chapter in the history of Independent India. More than 1.1 lakh people were imprisoned during the 18 months of Emergency. Over 250 journalists were jailed. Noted artist like Kishore Kumar was banned from performing on AIR as he refused to perform at a Congress party meeting.” Dr Singh said. It is important to observe this day since 60 per cent of our population is below the age of 35 and they must be made aware of the importance of democracy.Dr Singh said  and added that under the NDA dispensation the North East has received special attention from the Centre during the last four years.“The Prime Minister himself has visited the North East as many as 30 times during this period. The North East has been given a total of Rs 50,000 crore during the current Budget besides the Centre has taken up various schemes to boost connectivity, promote industrialization and provide funding to the region. Assam is not on the fast-track to development. The flood situation in Assam is likely to deteriorate further, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting heavy to very heavy rains for the next three days in Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. There is a likelihood of rise in water levels in various river basins of the region. In view of the rainfall forecast in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the districts of Siang, East and West Kameng, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Chirang, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, South Salmara and Dhubri districts, strict vigil along the rivers in these districts have to be maintained for the next three to five days. Meanwhile, Oxfam claims that more than 8.7 Lakh people have been affected in Assam so far. They have lost everything: homes, livelihood and loved ones. The situation in worsening – lives are in danger as people are left without shelter, food and safe drinking water. People have no choice but to leave everything behind to reach a safe area. High level of water has destroyed crops, leaving families with an unclear future and is in desperate need of help. Rivers Karakhal in Hailakandi, Kushiyara in  Karimganj, Barak at Chachar, Dhanshiri in Golaghat is flowing over the danger level. Oxfam is already on the ground delivering life-saving aid – Clean water, Hygiene kits, Shelter kits, Sanitation and Rehabilitation support to the most marginalized families in need, the NGO added. Incidentally, Oxfam founded in 1942 and headquartered at   Oxford in the United Kingdom (UK) is a confederation of 20 independent charitable organizations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty.(inputs & image from New Indian Express)