Guwahati, July 28 (IANS) In the backdrop of the unprecedented flood situation in Assam, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund will receive the equivalent of one month’s salary from every Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected districts of Upper Assam, Speaker Biswajit Daimary announced in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Making the announcement in the House, the Speaker said all MLAs cutting across party lines have agreed to contribute one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in view of the devastating floods that have affected lakhs of people across several districts in the BJP-ruled state.
The Speaker also announced that he and the Deputy Speaker would each donate one month’s salary towards the relief fund as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the floods.
In addition, officers and employees of the Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat have voluntarily decided to contribute one day’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to aid relief operations.
The announcement comes as floodwaters continue to inundate large parts of Upper Assam, affecting normal life, damaging infrastructure and agricultural land, and forcing thousands of people to take shelter in relief camps.
The state government has intensified rescue and relief operations in the affected districts with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administrations and other agencies.
According to the latest official flood bulletin, over four lakh people have been affected across multiple districts, including Sivasagar, Golaghat, Charaideo, Jorhat, Nagaon and Kamrup (Metropolitan).
Authorities have been distributing food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to those staying in relief camps and affected villages.
The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is routinely used to provide immediate financial assistance during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Contributions from elected representatives, government employees, organisations and individuals are expected to strengthen the state’s ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures.
The Assembly’s collective contribution reflects bipartisan support for the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government’s efforts to assist flood-hit families and expedite recovery in the affected regions.
–IANS
tdr/rad
