Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the BJP has stepped up its relief efforts for flood affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, with relief materials worth around Rs 16 crore being dispatched from Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan.
After flagging off the relief consignment, Sarma said BJP workers, ministers, MLAs, booth level workers, NGOs, government agencies and several other organisations have been involved in relief operations since the beginning of the floods.
The Chief Minister said ministers Bimal Bora, Sushanta Borgohain and Ajanta Neog have been actively involved in relief operations across the affected areas.
According to Sarma, the BJP has mobilised around 1.8 lakh mekhela chadors, 1.8 lakh T shirts and 1.5 lakh mosquito nets for flood affected families across the four districts. He said the relief has been contributed at the grassroots level and that the effort will continue in the coming days.
While the overall flood situation has improved due to the absence of significant rainfall since July 21, Sarma said the extent of damage remains a major concern. Several families are still unable to return home as their houses have either been destroyed or severely damaged, while road damage has also made access to some areas difficult.
Sarma said donations are being received from different parts of India and a list of contributors will be released once the collection process is completed.
Rejecting the need for international assistance, the Chief Minister said the Government of India and the Assam Government are capable of handling the flood crisis. He added that anyone willing to contribute can do so through the appropriate FCRA route.
The government is also organising medical camps in affected areas and extending assistance to families whose homes have suffered damage.
Sarma further said discussions would be held with banks to explore relief measures related to loans for flood affected people. He said the government and BJP would continue to work together during the recovery phase.
On the recurring flow of floodwaters from the hills of Nagaland into Assam, Sarma called for a detailed study of rainfall patterns and water flow from the hills to the plains. He said the government could engage with experts at IIT Guwahati to explore long term solutions.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged BJP workers who continued relief operations despite suffering damage to their own homes in the floods.