The Union Minister of Home Affairs & Cooperation – Amit Shah has directed the Assam Government to devise a long-term strategy to protect the northeastern state from ‘floods’, a key requirement to ensure further development across the state.
While chairing a meeting here on Friday, Shah asserted that “Protection from flood is a crucial prerequisite for the state’s development and attracting significant private investment.”
“The state government must go beyond short-term plans and initiate a long-term plan, which would provide protection from flood for decades to come,” – he added.
According to a state government website, the northeastern state is wracked by nearly three to four waves of flood, practically every year. Around Rs 200 crore are lost annually on average, as a result of the catastrophe.
During the closed-door meeting, the Union Minister has also asked the state government to develop an action plan to rejuvenate the state’s wetlands, and boost their holding capacity so that they can serve as flood storage reservoirs.
He emphasized that the state government must take necessary measures in this regard, including enacting a legislation for protecting reservoirs and devising a mechanism for its enforcement.
The Hon’ble Home Minister emphasised a long-term solution to the perennial issue of floods. He also stressed inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination for making Assam flood free.
Hon’ble Water Resources Minister Shri @Pijush_hazarika was also present at the meeting.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 7, 2022
