Since 2014, Assam Has Not Received Any Aid From The National Disaster Response Fund

Assam has not received any help from the National Disaster Disaster Fund from 2014-2018, according to Home Ministry’s data.

In response to an RTI filed by Scroll, Assam’s revenue and disaster management department said, “Practically, the government of Assam has not received any assistance from the government of India during the period 2014-18.” The Centre has been reluctant towards the distribution of additional funds, a senior state official said, reported Scroll.  

Floods in Assam claim many lives every year. In 2018, 49 people died due to flooding in the state, and 151 died in 2017. According to the Disaster Management Act of 2005, the State Disaster Response Fund is created with 90 per cent contribution from the Centre. If the Disaster Response Fund falls short, the centre provides help from the National Disaster Response Fund. However, Assam has not received any help from the national fund since 2014. 

Assam submitted memorandums asking for assistance of Rs. 9,370 crores in 2014, Rs. 2,100 crores in 2015, Rs. 5,038 crores in 2016 and Rs. 4,000 crores in 2017. None of these amounts reached the state.  

In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised assistance of Rs. 250 crores to Assam, however, it was never received. 

A senior state official stated, “The Centre allots additional funds when the State Disaster Response Funds money is low, but an accounting error by the AG’s office has resulted in our books reflecting an amount that we actually don’t have.” He further added that “Since the home ministry takes the account balance figure from the AG’s office, we have been told that we are not eligible.”

Officials said that the lack of funds is the main reason for the excessive adversity of the floods. Several of the embankments, which are meant to intervene the floods have been destroyed and are yet to be completely repaired.