Centre yet to release Rs 1233 cr of FMP schemes in Assam

The MP of Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency Gaurav Gogoi said in a letter to Union Minister of Water Resources Uma Bharati that in Assam an annual war with the flood and eroson by the river Brahmaputra.

“Hundreds of farmers have lost their land and other farmers wasted their entire year’s production of fish or cash crops. Flood and erosion has almost consumed the river island of Majuli. It is a national problem which requires support and close coordination between Union and the state government,” Gaurav Gogoi said.

The MP said in his letter that, under 11th plan the State Water Resources department had taken up 100 nos of FMP schemes with an estimated Rs 342 crores in total and funding pattern of 90:10 (90% central share and 10% state share).

“The Union government share was Rs 308 crores, but released Rs 86 crores (28%) and the balance to be released is Rs 222 crores. The state government had already released fulfilled their responsibility and released the entire amount of Rs 34 crores,” the son of Assam Chief Minister and MP of Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency said.

Gaurav Gogoi further pointed out in his letter that, under 12th plan the State water resources department had taken up 41 nos of FMP schemes with an estimated Rs 1386 crores and a funding pattern of 70:30. Centre share was Rs 1017 crores but released only Rs 6 cores (0.5%) so far and the balance to be released is Rs 1011 crores.

“The state government had to release Rs 369 crores and released Rs 291 crores (80%),” Gaurav said.

Gaurav urged the Union minister to her intervation as the balance amount of central share against the schemes to be released soon.

“The river Brahmaputra is a pilgrimage for secularism and integration. For thousands of years it is a symbol of peace, unity and harmony. The fate of lakhs of families in the state has linked to the river Brahmaputra,” Gaurav said.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)