Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has alleged that corruption is taking place in the ongoing flood relief distribution process

GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has alleged that corruption is taking place in the ongoing flood relief distribution process in the State and he has urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to institute an inquiry into the matter.

Saikia wrote to the Chief Minister on Saturday and said that it has been reported in the media that in Kampur in the Nagaon district, flood-ravaged people are being forced to buy 200 gm of rice and 50 gm of masoor dal by paying Rs 30 each. Saikia said that such a development is an insult to the flood-affected people. Moreover, he said, that there are allegations that some people are misappropriating flood-relief materials in districts such as Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang etc., but the police has failed to take any action against the culprits.

Saikia observed that there is a need to institute a high-level inquiry to find out why the government machinery is failing to provide flood relief as per provisions of the State Disaster Management Act and other relevant rules and guidelines.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure that the flood-affected people are provided relief as mandated, or even on an enhanced scale.

Saikia further called for dispensing with procedural delay and ensuring expeditious release of compensation to the flood-affected families.

News Source The Sentinel