NEW DELHI, May 10 - State BJP Lok Sabha MPs on Tuesday demanded that the flood and erosion problem of Assam should be declared as a national problem.
In two separate Zero Hour notices by Rameshwar Teli and Bijoya Chakravarty in the Lok Sabha here this afternoon, the MPs highlighted the flood and erosion problem and massive deforestations in the State that have led to landslides and siltation of the rivers resulting in floods.
Rameshwar Teli said that for last a few decades, flood and erosion have affected Assam rendering lakhs of people homeless. During the floods, people suffer immensely besides the economic structure of the State also collapses. This is one of the main hurdles in economic development of the State.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bijoya Chakravarty said that 70 per cent of the State forest has been lost due to deforestation. Trees have been cut down and hills and mountain destroyed, leading to massive erosion choking rivers. Landslide has become a major problem and at least 50 persons have lost their lives, she claimed. The State has suffered on account of heavy rains damaging river embankments. At least 73 per cent of the State�s embankments has suffered damages, she said.
Though the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 414 crore for repair of embankments, more funds are needed, she added.
