Guwahati, July 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday demanded a massive enhancement in financial assistance for Assam's flood-hit families, saying the relief announced by the state government was grossly inadequate in view of the widespread devastation caused by this year's floods.
Addressing reporters in Sivasagar, the opposition MLA welcomed the state government's decision to enhance benefits under the Orunodoi scheme but urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to extend the scheme to every woman belonging to flood-affected families.
Holding up photographs of damaged houses and inundated villages, Gogoi said the floods had devastated not only economically weaker sections but also a large number of middle-class households, leaving families with severe losses to homes, property and livelihoods.
Calling for greater Central intervention, the Raijor Dal leader urged the Chief Minister to present photographic evidence of the destruction before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek a comprehensive financial package for Assam.
He demanded a one-time compensation of Rs 10 lakh for every flood-affected family, contending that the existing relief was insignificant compared to the actual losses suffered by people.
Claiming that nearly 40,000 families in the Sivasagar Assembly constituency alone had been affected, Gogoi sought a special package of Rs 400 crore from the Centre exclusively for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the constituency.
Questioning the government's announcement of Rs 15,000 assistance for severely affected families, he said the amount could not adequately compensate victims who had lost homes, agricultural land, livestock and other assets.
The MLA also alleged that despite Chief Minister Sarma's recent visit to New Delhi and his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, no special financial package had been secured for Assam.
He further claimed that the Chief Minister failed to obtain an appointment with Prime Minister Modi and questioned the state's effectiveness in securing Central support.
Describing the floods as one of the worst natural disasters in Assam's history, Gogoi alleged that the crisis had not received the national attention it deserved.
He appealed to all MPs from Assam to jointly raise the issue with the Prime Minister and press for immediate financial assistance.
Warning of intensified protests, Gogoi said he would lead demonstrations by flood-affected residents, including a protest outside the Chief Minister's residence, if the government failed to provide adequate compensation.
He also claimed that the floods had pushed families in Sivasagar and Nazira back by nearly two decades economically and said the state government would be accountable if the proposed Rs 400 crore package was not secured from the Centre.
Source: IANS
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