Guwahati: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has announced a statewide ‘Demand Day’ on August 21 to press the Centre and Assam government for a national disaster declaration for the state’s floods, an inquiry into their causes and a time-bound plan to address Assam’s recurring flood problem.
The party has also sought enhanced relief and compensation for flood-affected families, including Rs 20 lakh for the families of those killed, Rs 1 lakh in immediate assistance to each affected family and up to Rs 10 lakh for houses completely destroyed in the floods.
In Guwahati, the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district committee will hold a protest and dharna outside Meghdoot Bhawan at Panbazar from 11 a.m. as part of the statewide agitation.
“Unprecedented flooding that struck Sivasagar and Charaideo from July 19 and subsequently affected Jorhat, Golaghat and other districts has left behind a trail of devastation from which thousands of families are yet to recover. The exact reasons behind the severity of the disaster have not yet been made public. The government must constitute an expert committee to investigate the factors responsible and submit its findings within a stipulated timeframe,” CPI(M) Assam State Committee secretary Suprakash Talukdar said.
The party said concerns raised by local residents over alleged illegal mining and environmental degradation in Assam and Nagaland should be examined alongside natural factors. It also sought an assessment of the cumulative impact of large dams in neighbouring states and Bhutan on Assam’s flood situation.
The CPI(M) demanded that construction of large dams in neighbouring states be suspended until their cumulative impact on Assam is assessed. It also sought recognition of Assam’s flood problem as a national issue and a time-bound programme for a permanent solution.
The party has submitted a 10-point relief and rehabilitation charter to the Assam government.
Besides enhanced compensation, it sought at least Rs 5 lakh for severely damaged houses, higher compensation for crop and livestock losses, free food supplies to flood-affected families for six months and urgent distribution of free paddy seedlings to help farmers resume cultivation.
The party also demanded adequate healthcare facilities to prevent post-flood disease outbreaks, veterinary services in affected areas and at least 200 days of government-supported employment in flood-ravaged villages.
It sought special funds to repair damaged educational institutions and Anganwadi centres, besides free uniforms, books and financial assistance for affected students. The party also demanded a waiver of loans taken by families severely affected by the floods.
Talukdar said CPI(M) units across Assam would organise protests on August 21 and submit memoranda to the authorities.