Itanagar, July 1 (IANS) Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday assured comprehensive Central assistance for flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, announcing a detailed assessment of the damage and promising new houses for families whose homes were washed away, besides compensation for losses to crops, agricultural land and livestock.
Chouhan, along with Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Tuesday and Wednesday conducted physical and aerial surveys of the flood-affected areas in Kayi Panyor district and other parts of the state.
Officials said that in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, a detailed review of the situation in flood-affected areas and relief efforts was conducted by the Union Minister in the presence of Rijiju, Khandu, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kaling Moyong and senior officials.
The visiting Union Minister said that immediate relief in the form of food grains and essential supplies was already being provided to the affected families.
Chouhan stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally concerned about the situation and had directed that every possible assistance be extended to the affected people. In line with these directions, the Central Government was working closely with the State Government to carry out relief and rehabilitation operations.
During the visit, the Union Minister appreciated the remarkable community spirit displayed by residents. He joined villagers in repairing a flood-damaged road and constructing a protection wall to prevent river water from re-entering the village.
Describing the initiative as deeply inspiring, Chouhan said that while the floods had caused extensive destruction and damage assessment was still underway, the most commendable aspect was that local communities had not waited for government intervention but had voluntarily come forward to address the crisis.
He noted that villagers had undertaken the construction of a protection wall without waiting for formal approvals or administrative estimates to safeguard their village from further flooding.
Saluting this spirit of collective responsibility, he said that when society remained aware, united and proactive, many significant challenges could be overcome through collective effort.
Chouhan assured the people that the government would discharge its responsibilities with complete sincerity and leave no stone unturned in ensuring effective relief and rehabilitation.
The Union Minister further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, both the Central and State Governments were working with utmost urgency. Guided by the Prime Minister, the Central Government would extend every possible assistance to restore normalcy in the affected areas at the earliest.
Following his visit to the flood-affected areas, Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting in Itanagar late on Tuesday night with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and senior officials.
The meeting reviewed relief and rehabilitation efforts in detail and issued necessary directions to ensure prompt assistance reached every affected family, expedite damage assessment and accelerate rehabilitation measures.
Chouhan stressed that there should be no laxity at any level in the relief operations and called for close coordination between the Central and State Governments to restore normal life at the earliest.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, he said that he and Union Minister Rijiju had visited Arunachal Pradesh on the directions of the Prime Minister to assess the situation arising from the heavy rains and ensure an effective response in coordination with the State Government.
He said the delegation travelled by road through the affected areas to undertake a first-hand assessment of the damage and interact directly with affected residents to understand the ground situation.
Describing the situation as serious and challenging, Chouhan nevertheless commended the State Government for responding swiftly and conducting relief and rescue operations effectively, which helped minimise the loss of human lives.
The Union Minister said that roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure and communication networks had been severely affected in several places. Crops had been destroyed, houses washed away, and livestock losses had also been reported.
He explained that the response was currently being carried out on two fronts – first, ensuring immediate relief by supplying food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential services to affected people; and second, undertaking a detailed assessment to formulate a comprehensive long-term rehabilitation plan.
Chouhan informed that the Chief Minister had submitted a preliminary report, while a detailed assessment report would be sent to the Central Government after completion.
He added that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be fully apprised of the situation, and the Central Government would extend every possible assistance.
He expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the Centre and the State would restore normalcy at the earliest while also working on scientific and long-term solutions to better manage such natural disasters in the future.
–IANS
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