ABAKASH MAJULI: 07/15/12

A GOOD NEWS :

Governor J B Patnaik on Friday made an aerial visit in flood-hit Majuli to assess the damage caused by the floods and assured the flood victims of help to solve their flood problems.

Addressing mediapersons at Garmur circuit house in Majuli, Patnaik also expressed his willingness to ensure protection of Majuli's unique heritage and culture. He said he would also extend his support in getting Unesco's World Heritage Site tag for the island.

The governor asked the district administration to take proper steps for the rehabilitation of about 500 homeless families of Salmora area.

The governor also held a meeting with officials of the district administration, water resource department and Brahmaputra Board, directing them to complete their flood protection and anti-erosion projects by March 2014.

The governor, who was accompanied by water resource minister and Majuli MLA Rajiv Lochan Pegu, also visited a road breached at Mohorichuk area and directed the authorities concerned to repair the road due to the urgent need of communication.

Over one lakh population of 81 villages in the hub of the vaishnavite culture was affected by the recent wave of flood. The flood submerged six satras and another four satras are under the threat of erosion. The governor also distributed relief materials to the affected people.

In reply to the question put forward by the people of Sonowal Kachari regarding sand deposition in their homes and fields, the governor directed the water resources department to take immediate steps to remove the sand and make the land ready to be ploughed and the their houses habitable.

- Abakash Majuli

Governor warns Brahmaputra Board :

Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, July 14 – Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik on Friday made an aerial inspection of the flood-affected areas of Nagaon, Jorhat and Kaziranga National Park, and issued a warning to the Brahmaputra Board that it would be held responsible for “any flood in the southern part of Majuli” in the future.

Patnaik first met the flood-affected people to understand their problems and grievances and upon obtaining a firsthand knowledge of their plight, he assured the affected people from Salmora that they could be rehabilitated segment by segment in various vacant lands of the river island to be allotted by the administration.

In reply to a query from the devastated folks of Sonowal Kachari regarding the sand deposition in their homes and fields, the Governor directed the Water Resources Department to take immediate steps to arrange for removing the sand and make the land plough-able and habitable. After the discussion, the Governor distributed relief materials to the affected people.

The Governor later held a discussion with the district administration where a power point presentation on the flood scenario was made by the Deputy Commissioner, Jorhat. The Governor obtained the commitment from both the chairman of the Brahmaputra Board and the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Water Resources Dept that they would be able to complete the works entrusted to them on time on the south and north banks of Majuli respectively.

Patnaik told the Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, for which a deadline had already been fixed for March 2014, that after 2014, if there is any flood in the southern part of Majuli, the Board would be held responsible.”

Regarding the northern bank, he directed the Principal Secretary, Water Resources, to give their assurance to the local MLA and Minister, Rajiv Lochan Pegu that they would live up to their commitment.

(News from The Assam Tribune Sunday, July 15, 2012)

-Abakash Majuli