press trust of india
New Delhi, July 27: The response to floods in states like Assam and Gujarat has been the “quickest ever possible”, the government said Thursday while making it clear that there was no “bias” in its approach and intent in providing rescue teams and relief funds.
Replying to a call attention motion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation arising out of recent floods in the country, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said strict instructions have been issued to NDRF teams that there should be no delay in providing relief because of “human error”.
Paramilitary forces have also been told to be ready to respond to the situation, he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a direction that top priority should be given to tackle the disaster, be it manmade or natural.
Rijiju also said that states have enough funds in their kitty to tackle disasters and the Centre only supplements with additional relief amount when it gets exhausted. “I can assure this House that the government is fully committed to ensure that nobody suffers due to want of the action from the Government of India. We are fully committed. We reassure state governments that we will be there whenever you require us,” he said.
“Whether it is Assam or the current problem being faced in Gujarat, the disaster response has been quickest ever possible,” he said, adding that relief work was in progress. As many as 20 states, including Assam, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, have been affected by heavy rains or floods during the current southwest monsoon
season.
