Sivasagar: Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has announced a fresh agitation in Assam over flood relief measures, alleging that his recent meeting with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma failed to produce any concrete assurance on revising the state’s disaster relief provisions. Gogoi said he met the Chief Minister on Monday and submitted a memorandum seeking amendments to the existing relief manual of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). He argued that the current provisions do not adequately reflect the losses suffered by flood-affected families. According to Gogoi, the existing compensation of Rs 3 lakh for deaths caused by disasters is inadequate. He also raised concerns over compensation provided for serious injuries, damaged houses, household belongings, agricultural land and ponds.
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“The main issue has failed. Therefore, we have again announced a flood-centric movement,” Gogoi said. As part of the agitation, a public meeting will be organised at Nazira on September 6. From September 7 to 16, members of Gogoi’s organisation will tour flood-affected areas across Assam, assess the situation and interact with affected residents. The agitation will culminate in a mass protest at the Chief Minister’s Office in Guwahati on September 16, according to the announcement. Gogoi’s move comes amid continued political debate over the adequacy of the government’s flood relief and rehabilitation measures in Assam. The Raijor Dal leader has maintained that compensation guidelines must be revised to reflect the actual losses suffered by flood-affected people. The proposed campaign is expected to focus on documenting the difficulties faced by affected families and putting pressure on the state government to strengthen disaster relief provisions.
