Guwahati, Aug 2: The Assam unit of the Congress on Sunday alleged that the state government was unable to utilise flood relief funds released by the Centre due to lack of budgetary provisions and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into what it termed “man-made” floods.
Addressing a press conference here, former minister Nilamoni Sen Deka claimed that despite the Centre releasing funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the Assam government is unable to utilise it without fresh allocation in the Assembly.
“At a time when people are suffering, the government has no money to spend because it did not allocate funds in the state budget. A new bill must be passed to declare floods a ‘State Problem’ so money can be spent directly from state revenue,” he added.
The Congress criticised the Centre for giving Assam just Rs 379.35 crore, while states like Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra with less flood impact received Rs 500 crore each.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday approved the advance release of Rs 2,117.85 crore from the central share of the SDRF to support the states affected by floods during the ongoing southwest monsoon.
Deka also accused the government of insensitivity and evading responsibility by blaming cloudbursts and water flow from neighbouring states.
Assam Congress media department chairman Bedabrat Bora alleged that illegal open-cast coal mining and syndicates along Assam’s borders with Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal have created pits that burst during rains, triggering flash floods in Upper Assam.
“Around 40 to 60 illegal coal trucks enter Assam daily from Nagaland and Rs 1.5-2 lakh is extorted per truck. This is a Rs 3,000 crore syndicate,” he claimed.
Bora said that no task force was formed despite NGT and High Court orders in 2022, and announced the Congress will file a PIL and contempt petition.
The Congress also submitted a 24-point charter to the Governor and Chief Minister, seeking farm aid, GST waiver on rebuilding materials, business loss compensation and free food for victims.
The flood situation in Assam improved slightly on Sunday, with the number of affected people coming down to 1.78 lakh.
The toll remained unchanged at 82 as no fresh fatalities were reported in the state in the last 24 hours. (PTI)
