Guwahati Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said he was focusing on finding a solution to the state's annual flood crisis rather than having it recognized as a "national problem".
He said the Center has already made available funds to combat floods and more money will be provided to develop infrastructure to deal with the crisis, such as embankments.
Speaking to reporters after visiting flood relief camps in Kamrup district, Sarma said: "If the flood is declared a national problem, how will it benefit us? Rather, foreigners will stop coming here when find out."
"Our goal is to find a solution. We will benefit if there is some national solution," he added.
Sarma said the damage to the embankments has been much less this time compared to previous years.
"This time there has not been much flooding near the dams, the problem is on the river bank. In 2004, between 300 and 400 dams broke, this time there are two or three," he said.
He said work is already being done on different embankments and the Center will provide more funds to carry out such projects as required.
"The Center has given us Rs 13,000 crore in advance this year. We have not spent much of the money so far," Sarma said, maintaining that the state government has adequate funds.
About his interaction with the inmates in the camps, the CM said that he had been informed about obtaining adequate relief materials.
He said the district commissioner has been asked to prepare a list of people whose houses have been damaged so that they can be compensated.
Mega medical camps will be organized once the water recedes to ensure there are no disease outbreaks, he said.
Sarma visited three relief camps being run at Amrit Chandra Thakuria Commerce College in Palashbari, LP School in Nahira and Nahira Guimara Regional High School.
He took stock of the essential supplies being provided to those who had taken shelter in these camps and directed the administration to ensure availability of medical facilities, drinking water and other necessary materials.
He said the Center has already made available funds to combat floods and more money will be provided to develop infrastructure to deal with the crisis, such as embankments.
Speaking to reporters after visiting flood relief camps in Kamrup district, Sarma said: "If the flood is declared a national problem, how will it benefit us? Rather, foreigners will stop coming here when find out."
"Our goal is to find a solution. We will benefit if there is some national solution," he added.
Sarma said the damage to the embankments has been much less this time compared to previous years.
"This time there has not been much flooding near the dams, the problem is on the river bank. In 2004, between 300 and 400 dams broke, this time there are two or three," he said.
He said work is already being done on different embankments and the Center will provide more funds to carry out such projects as required.
"The Center has given us Rs 13,000 crore in advance this year. We have not spent much of the money so far," Sarma said, maintaining that the state government has adequate funds.
About his interaction with the inmates in the camps, the CM said that he had been informed about obtaining adequate relief materials.
He said the district commissioner has been asked to prepare a list of people whose houses have been damaged so that they can be compensated.
Mega medical camps will be organized once the water recedes to ensure there are no disease outbreaks, he said.
Sarma visited three relief camps being run at Amrit Chandra Thakuria Commerce College in Palashbari, LP School in Nahira and Nahira Guimara Regional High School.
He took stock of the essential supplies being provided to those who had taken shelter in these camps and directed the administration to ensure availability of medical facilities, drinking water and other necessary materials.
