Natural calamity in Garo Hills
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Expressing their displeasure over the delay in providing relief to the victims of the recent flash flood and cyclone victims of Garo Hills, the Opposition on Friday asked the State Government to step down immediately.
“Despite the total damage from this recent natural calamity which occurred in Garo Hills being estimated at Rs 6.34 crore, it is surprising that the State Government has so far provided only about Rs 20 lakh as relief to the victims,” Opposition leader Conrad K Sangma said on Friday.
“Three months after the incident, the Government is still figuring out the damages to the livestock and houses of these victims. There are hundreds of people in Phulbari alone who are yet to get a proper shelter. They are still seen taking shelter under tarpaulin tents. Most of these people are yet to get any kind of assistance from the Government,” Sangma added.
In his reply, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the Government is intentionally going slow with the survey to ensure that the real beneficiaries are not missed out.
“We have experience in the past that the real beneficiaries have been left out since the survey was conducted in a very hasty manner,” the Chief Minister said while also claiming that there are many people who have praised the government for its promptness in handling the situation.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Prof RC Laloo said the number of houses which were fully and partially damaged from this natural calamity is 2713, while adding that relief has been provided to 753 families and 27 BPL families have been sanctioned houses under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY).
Prof Laloo informed that for fully-damaged pucca house, the government is giving Rs 35,000 while for partially damage pucca house they are giving Rs 10,000.
He also informed that the total estimated damage sustained in agriculture and horticulture is Rs 108 lakh. “Relief would be provided after a detailed inquiry,” Prof Laloo added.
