Flood situation in Assam under control: Rijiju

New Delhi [India], July 27 (ANI): The flood situation in Assam is under control and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with the state government is keeping a constant round the clock watch on the situation, the Centre said in Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was replying to a call attention motion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation arising out of recent floods in the country. Rijiju further said that an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that was constituted on July 21, is visiting the damaged areas of the state for on-the-spot assessment of damages of immediate and temporary nature and further action would be taken in the matter. He said the Centre is extending financial assistance through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the states affected by flood. "An amount of Rs. 9382.80 crore has been allocated as central share to all the States in their SDRF accounts for the year 2017-18. An amount of Rs. 3387.15 crore has so far been released, as the installment of Central share of SDRF for the year 2017-18 to 21 States. In addition, financial assistance from NDRF amounting to Rs. 1555.84 crore has been provided during 2017-18, so far, to different States which were affected by calamities of severe nature," he said. In addition, the farmers, whose crops were damaged, are also entitled for compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna. Quoting figures provided by the Assam Government, Rijiju said that about 59,430.45 quintal rice, 11,142.18 quintal dal, 3,541.71 quintal salt, 37,249.89 liters M. Oil and 58,092 numbers of tarpaulins were provided to the affected people. "The State Government has mentioned that 1,160 relief camps (357 relief camps + 803 relief distribution center) have been opened and 1,31,416 inmates are housed in these camps, so far," he said. "I would like to assure the Hon'ble Members that the Government of India will give due importance to the valuable suggestions given by them during the discussion to deal effectively with the situation caused by floods and other natural calamities," he added. Rijiju said that the MHA has deployed about 88 specialised teams of the NDRF in 26 States and UTs with 304 boats another necessary search and rescue equipment. "In addition, the NDRF teams also assist to the State administration in distribution of essential relief material and provide medical support to affected people at the time of emergency. The NDRF also conducts mock drills along with the relevant departments and State agencies in the country for effective management of floods, response and rescue operations," he said. (ANI)