GUWAHATI, April 24 � The State Government is contemplating setting up of a separate wetland management department. This was disclosed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi while reviewing the flood situation in a high level meeting.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for proper steps for rainwater harvesting to tide over drought like situation faced by the state from time to time. He said that the Planning Commission recently called for proper steps for rainwater harvesting.
In the review meeting, it was decided that a special disaster management cell would be set up in the office of the Chief Minister within a week and the cell would be manned round the clock. The meeting reviewed the food stock position and it was observed that the stock of the essentials would be adequate to last at least three months in case of major floods. The godowns of the Food Corporation of India has a stock of around one lakh tonne of essential items and a demand has been placed before the Government of India for additional allotments to be kept in places like Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Morigaon and Silchar.
With erosion posing a threat to the international border fencing in the Mankachar area of Dhubri district, the Chief Minister directed the Water Resources Department to chalk out a detailed anti-erosion plan. He said that if required, the State Government would approach the Centre for funds for execution of such a plan to protect the international border fencing.
The flood situation in the districts of Lakhimpur and Tinsukia was reviewed in the meeting and the Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to launch relief operations immediately. He further said that there would be no dearth of funds under the CRF for providing adequate relief to the flood affected people. He directed the concerned officials to make arrangements for adequate number of country boats for rescuing marooned people whenever required.
The Chief Minister today announced that an ex gratia amount of Rs one lakh each would be provided to the next of kin of the five persons killed in hailstorm in Dhubri district and one person killed in Nalbari. The Prime Minister�s office will also provide Rs one lakh each to t5he next of kin of those killed in hailstorms.
