No scarcity of funds for relief operations: Rajnath Singh

Union home minister Rajnath Singh did not announce any financial package for Assam during his visit to the state on Saturday to review the flood situation but did say that Rs 620 crore in disaster relief funds was at the disposal of the state government.

“I have asked the chief minister to spend the money and intensify flood-relief operations. There will be no scarcity of funds for flood-relief operations,” Mr Singh told reporters here. He also expressed satisfaction with the way Mr Sonowal and his team have been tackling the flood.

“I met the flood victims in the relief camp to know if they were getting adequate relief. I am happy to share this with you, that camp inmates were satisfied with the way the state administration has reached them and is helping,” he said, reiterating, “No effort is being spared to help and the people are satisfied with the government’s response.”

Pointing out that the death toll has gone up to 26 and over 36 lakh people in 28 districts of Assam have been affected, Mr Singh said, “This is a huge challenge for the state government. I would like to make an appeal to all social organisations and NGOs to come forward and help the state in this hour of crisis.”

Admitting that he was not aware of the intensity of damage caused by the floods in the past seven days, Mr Singh said, “It was an intelligent decision by the state government to suspend the ongoing Assembly session and send all the people’s representatives to their constituencies to help. I saw them working with the flood victims. Perhaps this is the first time that the state Assembly has been suspended to take care of flood victims.”

Mr Singh also lauded the work of the NDRF and Army in rescuing those who had been marooned. “I have been told that at least 60 boats of the NDRF have been engaged in rescue and relief operations. The NDRF and Army have also saved the lives of about 6,000 people in the state,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Singh undertook an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Nagaon and Morigaon districts. He also visited the Bhagatgaon camp for flood-affected people in Morigaon district and met camp inmates and state government officials before returning to New Delhi on Saturday evening.