TURA, OCT 1: Union home minister, Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asked Meghalaya to immediately submit memorandum for rebuilding exercise hit by devastating flood and massive landslides, which has led to loss of 55 lives in Garo hills and damages estimated at Rs. 2000 crore.
“I have told the chief minister to submit a memorandum to the centre, after which an inter-ministerial team will visit to assess the damages. I have assured to provide maximum assistance to the Meghalaya government”, Singh said.
On his maiden visit to Garo hills on Wednesday, Singh also asked the state government to utilize the state disaster response fund available with the state. “The state government has Rs. 124 crore, I have asked the chief minister to spend that fund. The next installment will be released immediately, we have written to the finance ministry, which is ready for sanction,” he added.
Singh assured that both Assam and Meghalaya will get financial assistance from the centre to undertake rebuilding exercise.
On allegation by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi that centre is not fully cooperating because of political difference, Singh said that is not true.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma informed that from the extent of damages, he himself (home minister) has understood what kind of support the state government would require in addressing the issues of the affected families.
On damages to public asset and PWD roads, Sangma informed that the home minister have asked the state government to prepare a detailed memorandum capturing all aspects. “I have been indicated by the home minister to meet him in New Delhi on October 9 or 10 and submit the memorandum”, he added.
Sangma informed that in the meantime all line departments will be able to come up with a report, which would be submitted to the government of India. “We will be releasing funds based on the actual requirements to all the line departments, which is available with the state”, Sangma informed.
Singh was accompanied by union minister of state (Sports) Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP Assam unit president Siddhartha Bhattacharjee, Assam forest and environment minister Rockybul Hussain and ministry of home affairs Joint Secretary (North East), Shambu Singh, among others.
Rajnath toured the flood-hit areas of Goalpara and Garo hills and landed at BSF helipad in Tura to hold a review meeting in presence of chief minister Mukul Sangma, deputy chief minister RC Laloo, Tura Lok Sabha MP Purno Agitok Sangma and government representatives led by additional chief secretary P Srivastava.
At the review meeting, the state government sought for centres assistance for raising a dedicated battalion of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The home minister was also briefed by chief minister for taking up the issue of connectivity in terms of telecommunication and mobile with Bangladesh counterpart.
“The earthquake prone region of North East needs a dedicated connectivity to address communication matters in times of crisis, when connectivity in the state fails. We request you to intervene in this regard”, Mukul told Rajnath in the review meeting.
Explaining the crisis in Meghalaya where 10 districts out of 11 were affected by the flood, the chief minister also sought centre’s aid in construction of high raised landing grounds in all block headquarters of Meghalaya.- From Our Reporter
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