GUWAHATI, June 26 - The Centre has released Rs 340 crore to Assam as interim flood relief, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh said here today.
Dr Singh held a review meeting regarding the flood situation with officials from the State government.
Later, addressing a press meet to mark the 43rd anniversary of imposition of Emergency, he said that of the total amount, Rs 239 crore is from the Ministry of Home Affairs under the National Disaster Relief Fund, while the remaining Rs 101 crore has been released by DoNER.
�This year the rains came earlier. I compliment the State government on the timely and prompt action taken by it for flood management. The Centre is monitoring the flood situation in Assam on a daily basis and we will extend all possible assistance,� Dr Singh said.
He said the State government officials have been advised to be prepared to pre-empt any epidemics which may take place once flood waters recede.
Singh said that BJP is observing today as �Black Day�' nationwide to mark the anniversary of the imposition of Emergency and termed Emergency as the �darkest chapter in the history of Indian democracy�.
He said that the younger generations must be made aware of the Emergency.
�This was the darkest chapter in the history of Independent India. More than 1.1 lakh people were imprisoned during the 18 months of Emergency. Over 250 journalists were jailed. An artist like Kishore Kumar was banned from performing on AIR as he refused to perform at a Congress party meeting.� Dr Singh said.
He added, �It is important to observe this day since 60 per cent of our population is below the age of 35 and they must be made aware of the importance of democracy.�
Dr Singh said that under the NDA dispensation the North East has received special attention from the Centre during the last four years.
�The Prime Minister himself has visited the North East as many as 30 times during this period. Prior to this, not even any Union minister had visited the North East so many times,� he said.
Dr Singh said that the North East has been given a total of Rs 50,000 crore during the Budget and added that the Centre has taken up various schemes to boost connectivity, promote industrialization and provide funding to the region.
He added that Assam is not on the fast-track to development.
