"I was keen to visit Assam earlier to express my gratitude for sending me to Parliament as your Representative. This was my moral obligation. However, I feel sad that my visit coincides with the massive floods that have taken place and subsequent devastation caused by these floods. I have come here to see for myself the prevailing conditions of the people and the land and also to see for myself the relief and rescue operations that have been put in place.

Central Government will do all that is possible to help the State and the people of Assam to deal with this calamity.

Floods in Assam are an annual recurring feature and we need to address this as such. For 50 years, no solution has been found to this problem. We need to find an abiding solution to this problem, which visits the people of Assam like a scourge and causes untold devastation and distress. This abiding solution will consist of upstream solutions in the catchment areas and downstream solutions in the form of flood control measure. My emphasis will be in finding long-term solutions which tackle the problem at its source in the long run while at the same time, taking short term measures to strengthen flood control and end erosion so that immediate relief is offered.

Two major projects - the Lower Subansiri and Pagladia - are of critical importance in solving the flood problem in Assam to some extent. These have been approved by the Cabinet and our Government, in cooperation with the affected States, will try to hasten the implementation of these projects. It is my assurance that no effort will be lacking on our part to see that these multi-purpose projects become the boon for Assam and its people.

I am going to constitute a Task Force to look into the problem of recurrent floods in Assam and neighbouring States. This Task Force will suggest short-term and long-term measures, sources of funding and institutional arrangements for tackling this problem. The Task Force will submit its report in six months.

For the short term, our Government has already sanctioned flood control projects worth Rs.62 crore and these will be implemented immediately after the floodwaters recede. In addition, we are in the process of approving a scheme for long term flood control by which Assam will get Rs.90 crore for taking up flood control projects for the remaining years of this Five Year Plan.

Our commitment to solving the problems of floods, for the first time, we have made a mention of the work of flood control being done by Brahmaputra Board and other bodies in the Union Budget and have made an initial provision of Rs.30 crore for this purpose.

We will be sending a Central Team to assess the actual damage caused by the current floods as soon as the State Government indicates its readiness to receive the Team. The funds which will be released from the National Calamity Relief Fund will, among other things, provide Rs.10,000 for each house, i.e., completely destroyed and Rs.6,000 for each house i.e., partially destroyed in addition to relief for damage to crops and fields.

I hope I will be able to come back soon to Assam and be with you after life has returned to normal. I assure you that the concerns of the people of Assam and the North East will be uppermost in my mind even as I devote attention to the affairs of our country as a whole."