Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Monday announced an ad-hoc financial package of `500 crore to flood-ravaged Assam while assuring to pay more after the official assessment of the damage.
In a written statement that the Prime Minister read before a team of reporters soon after the aerial survey of flood hit Upper Assam districts, Dr Singh said, “A Central team has already arrived to assess the flood damage. We will announce another financial package for the state after the report of the Central team is submitted.”
Dr Singh who was accompanied by UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi also condoled the demise of 81 persons in the floods.
The Prime Minister also assured of ensuring sufficient availability of foodgrains and essential items in the state. Expressing concern at the disruption of rail services in Dima Hasao district, Dr Singh said that the railway ministry is taking steps to restore it as it is necessary to keep supply lines open to southern Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.
He reviewed the overall flood situation in the state and expressed satisfaction at the rescue and relief operations.
He said, “After the rescue and relief operations are over, the focus will shift on restoration of damages incurred by the flood.”
Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi earlier reached Jorhat in upper Assam by a special flight.
They were received at the airport by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, his Cabinet colleagues and other top officials.
Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi made an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas of eastern and northern Assam on an Indian Air Force helicopter. Assam chief minister, state PWD Minister Ajanta Neog and top revenue department officials also accompanied them.
Though the flood water has started receding in some areas, nearly 20 lakh population in over 1500 villages have been affected, while total of 6,57,558 hectartes of land submerged so far. The state administration has set up 622 relief camps in which about 4.50 lakh people are taking shelter. There were 42 beaches in embankments of Brahamaputra and its 14 tributaries across the state.
The floodwater has also submerged the national highways at various places.