Guwahati: Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi urged PM Narendra Modi to declare floods in three upper Assam districts a “national disaster”.In a letter released on Monday, the Sivasagar MLA submitted a 22-point charter seeking immediate relief, rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.Gogoi sought Rs 10 lakh each for affected families and businesses and a Rs 1,000-crore reconstruction package for Sivasagar and Nazira. He also urged Centre to ensure that the Assam govt’s Rs 15,000 assistance reaches every affected family.“The disaster threatens not only human lives and agricultural land but also the civilisational heritage of Assam,” Gogoi said, seeking national disaster status for the affected areas.The Raijor Dal legislator demanded a CBI probe into the July 19 floods and alleged illegal coal, sand and stone mining.His other demands included stronger embankments, modern sluice gates, river desiltation, drainage bridges and reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure. He sought compensation for farmers, fisheries, small tea growers, livestock rearers, nurseries and the handloom and handicraft sectors.Gogoi also demanded houses for displaced families, free books and uniforms, admission-fee waivers for affected students and mobile medical units in flood-hit villages.The floods have claimed 104 lives in Assam, according to official figures.
