PM Narendra Modi to visit flood-hit Assam today (Reuters photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Assam today to review the damage caused by the recent floods in the state and the relief measures being taken. PM Modi's visit comes amid criticism by Opposition parties alleging that Centre was apathetic towards the flood situation in the north-eastern state.
The opposition Congress, as well as student bodies like the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) had hit out at PM Modi for not visiting the flood-hit Assam.
The Centre has announced compensation of Rs. two lakh each under the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the relatives of people killed and Rs. 50,000 to seriously injured persons in the recent flood in Assam.
PM Modi, who arrived at the Guwahati airport thsi morning, was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The Prime Minister will hold three meetings with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh before flying back to Delhi in the evening. Manipur and Arunachal have also been hit by flash floods and landslides. Mizoram and Nagaland Chief Ministers have also been called for the meeting.
The floods in Assam this year claimed 83 lives and affected over 20 lakh people in 29 of the state's 32 districts.
"The prime minister's visit is mainly to find a permanent solution to the flood problem that Assam is facing," state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.
Sources say that PM Modi is expected to announce a special package for Assam and other northeastern states.
The PMO had requested Assam government to furnish details of requirement of funds along with list incorporating the names of the dead in flood, their next of kin and seriously injured persons.
A seven-member inter-ministerial central team had visited Assam on July 25 for four days to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of flood damage.