Centre yet to release Rs1,655 cr relief: Assam

Guwahati, September 8

The Assam government today asserted that contrary to reports the Centre has not released Rs 1,655 crore for flood relief and rescue operations in the state so far.

Referring to reports in a section of the press that the state government has an available balance of Rs 1,400 crore for relief and rescue operations, a release by the joint secretary to Revenue and Disaster Management Department said Rs 1,655 crore was released by the Centre in the beginning of 2015-16.

The total amount earmarked by the 14th Finance Commission for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2014-15 is Rs 460 crore, out of which the Centre’s share is Rs 414 crore and the state’s share Rs 46 crore, the release said.

“Therefore, the question of the Central government releasing Rs 1,655 crore for relief and rescue operation does not arise,” it asserted.

The closing balance of SDRF on March 31 was Rs 80.73 crore and the Centre has released the first installment of Rs 207 crore, which is 50 per cent of its share till now, the release said.

The available fund during the current year is Rs 333.73 crore, including the state share of Rs 46 crore. The expenditure till date is Rs 104.92 crore.

The state government, it said, had taken all rescue and relief measures during the four waves of floods this year and had not allowed the availability of funds to hamper its operations in any manner.

However, the government would require additional funds for restoration and repair of damages caused to infrastructure during the floods this year, it added.

Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal accused Assam CM Tarun Gogoi of doing “cheap politics” over the flood situation and claimed that the state government has enough funds to tackle it. — PTI

Loss in numbers

61 dead
31.59 lakh affected
4,459 villages in 
25 districts ruined
8,100 houses damaged
3.41 hectares with standing crop destroyed
Rs 580.99 crore total loss