Calls for Financial Aids for Flood Affected Victims of Northeast India

New Delhi, 29th August, 2014:

Ref: 04/2014-08/PR

MODIfied Northeast India is serious about the flood and landslides havocs in the Country and concerned about the plights of flash flood victims and their family members. One month of incessant rains in the Northeastern states have hit several areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Manipur. In this regard, the Social Initiative have written to Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh to consider the problems of the people of Northeast, in particular.

Recent floods and landslides have caused much havocs to the people, more than 20 people have lost their lives and another 100 injured. Landslides in National Highways along Imphal Jiribam Road and Imphal Dimapur Roads have been blocked causing man made price rise of essential commodities. In East Garo hills of Meghalaya, 2 children have been killed, injuring scores and rendering homeless to more than 100 of villagers.

Due to incessant rains in the past one month, several major towns of East Siang Districts in Arunachal- Namsai, Pasighat and Mebo have been cut off from rest of the State Headquarters. Landslides have buried schools and various houses, killing children and injuring more than 20 peoples. In Assam alone, at least 10 people were killed, more than 1.2 million people were affected and 16 districts, including Lakhimpur, Dhemaji etc marooned due to flood waters.

Naorem Mohen, Founder of MODIfied Northeast India have also informed the two Union Minisers from the region, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal,Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs from Assam and Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State, Home Affairs about the alarming loss of properties-crops, cattles and roads in the region."Heavy damages caused by flash floods to our lifelines need to be restored immediately to prevent any scarcity of foodstocks and essential healthcare," Naorem added.

The Initiative have requested the Central Government to take swift action to rehabilitate the flood victims, and provide necessary ex gratia to the family of unfortunate victims. Also consider the grant in aids for the farmers whose cropping season have been delayed due to natural calamities.And consider for setting up a Regional level Disaster Management Institute to prevent the region from earthquake, floods and other calamities.

"State Government have siphoned off crores of rupees meant for the prevention of floods and landslides.. In Assam itself more than Rs 1000 crores were sanctioned and not much work were reported to have performed successfully.Departments like Minor Irrigation and Flood Control in the state need to be checked," Naorem continued saying rainy seasons are like cropping seasons for these officials. "In Imphal, only 2 days is enough to flood the city, where are those funds gone which are meant to develop the river banks and drainages in and around the City."

It is unfortunate that State Government have been releasing flood emergency funds for repair of roads, rehabilitation and ex gratia during the calamities only. If they care for the people, they should work before the arrival of monsoons and floods could be avoided to save valuable live. Expendituresnon such funds must be transparent and accountable as well.

Taking serious note of the situation, the Initiative will send reports of the State government on tackling the present flood and landslides ro Prime Minister soon.

Sangeeta Thakral
Media Coordinator
#MODIfiedNortheastIndia
(An Initiative to Support Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India)
Iroisemba Maning Leikai,
Imphal West, Manipur-795004
Twitter: @india_modified
Facebook: /modifiednortheastindia