Rajnath Singh calls up Sonowal, takes stock of flood situation

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called up Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to get first-hand information on the latest flood situation in the state.

Sonowal apprised the Home Minister about the latest flood situation and the slew of steps initiated by the Assam government for relief, rescue and rehabilitation of the flood affected people, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office here said on Tuesday.

"The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister that the central government would provide all help and assistance to the state government and would bear the expenses involved in dealing with the flood situation in the state," it said.

Singh also conveyed to the Chief Minister that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been keeping a close tab on the flood situation in Assam and has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend all possible help and support to the flood affected people in their hour of distress.

In view of the deterioration in the flood situation following incessant rainfall in the last few days, Chief Minister Sonowal has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to gear up relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to spare no efforts to reach out to the affected people.

"There should not be any grounds for complaint and succour must be provided to the affected people. Special care must be given to women and infants," Sonowal said in the course of his video-conferencing with the DCs of the flood affected districts.

The Chief Minister said that no irregularities would be tolerated during the distribution of foodstuff and relief material to the affected people, and asked the DCs to ensure 'quality food' to the flood victims in view of alleged reports that 'substandard food' were being distributed in some affected areas.

Sonowal also directed the DCs to provide pure drinking water, medicines, baby food and fodder for livestock.

The Chief Minister asked the district heads to ensure proper sanitation at the relief camps to keep diseases at bay. He asked them to keep a sufficient number of country boats ready to meet any exigency.

--IANS

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