Modi announces ₹2,350 cr package for flood-hit NE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a total package of Rs 2,350 crore for all north eastern states hit by floods and immediate release of Rs 250 crore for flood-hit Assam, as he undertook a visit here to assess the situation in the region.

He also announced Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to floods in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

The seriously injured people will get Rs 50,000 each, the PMO said.

Regarding Assam, state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sarma said the prime minister announced the release of Rs 250 crore immediately to carry out relief and rehabilitation.

"The prime minister had released Rs 300 crore in June.

The Rs 250 crore announced today was in addition to the amount released in June," he said.

"The problem in the north east is India's problem and we should collectively concentrate on converting the problem into power," Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta quoted the prime minister as saying.

Modi, during his day-long visit here, met chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland to take stock of the situation arising out of the floods.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla did not come but sent a representation on his behalf.

"The prime minister announced Rs 2,350 crore total flood package for the north eastern states," Sarma told reporters here.

Giving a breakup, Sarma said, "The prime minister has announced a special package of Rs 2,000 crore for all the north eastern states for relief and rehabilitation of flood damage."

The exact share of different states will be worked out in coming days and will be announced accordingly, he added.

In addition to that, the prime minister announced a Rs 100 crore corpus for setting up a research project to study Brahmaputra river and its role in creating a devastating flood, Sarma said.

The package will be for flood relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction measures for affected states of the northeast, the prime minister said later.

"The package will have a significant component devoted to infrastructure & improving the water holding capacity of the Brahmaputra," he tweeted.

"We are exploring all possible means to enable proper management of the water resources of the northeast. This will help us immensely," Modi added.

The prime minister said the Centre is always with Assam and the north eastern states and suggested the adoption of short and long term measures to handle flood and erosion problems.