Guwahati: Members of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday resolved to donate one month’s salary to support flood relief operations, with legislators across party lines extending financial assistance to people affected by the ongoing flood.
The decision received unanimous support in the Assembly as several districts, particularly in Upper Assam, continue to deal with the aftermath of severe flooding.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed announced that his party would join the initiative by contributing one month’s salary. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) also declared that all its legislators would donate their salaries, while the party would contribute an additional Rs 2 lakh towards relief work.
The announcement follows AIUDF president and former Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal’s earlier donation of Rs 2 crore for flood relief and rehabilitation. After touring flood-hit areas in Charaideo and Sivasagar, Ajmal had appealed to the Centre to sanction a special relief package of Rs 10,000 crore, citing the extensive damage caused by the floods.
Separately, the ruling BJP has started a statewide donation campaign to mobilise resources for relief measures. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the party aims to provide clothing to two lakh women and two lakh children in the worst-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat.
Sarma estimated that the programme would require around Rs 12 crore and urged BJP workers to contribute generously. He said party members from outside Assam had also assured support and expressed confidence that the target amount would be collected within the next few days.
He added that contributions of up to Rs 2,000 could be handed over to local BJP MLAs, while higher amounts should be deposited directly into the Assam BJP’s designated bank account.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika announced that the state government would distribute paddy seeds and seedlings free of cost to farmers affected by the floods in Jorhat, Sivasagar and Charaideo over the next four to five days. He said he would personally supervise the distribution process.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who recently visited flood-affected areas, reiterated the Centre’s commitment to supporting Assam. He said the Union government was coordinating with the state administration to ensure timely relief and uninterrupted supply of essential items to affected families.