PM announces Rs 2,000 crore to combat northeast floods

Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced Rs 2,000 crore for northeastern states to deal with the damage caused by recent floods that killed 76 persons in Assam and affected millions. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Prime Minister also announced an additional Rs 100 crore to institute a high-powered group, including scientists, technocrats, and bureaucrats from central and state governments, to study the course of the Brahmaputra river for a permanent solution to the floods in the region. Sarma said the Prime Minister also announced Rs 250 crore for immediate flood relief in Assam. He said the amount would likely be released on Tuesday itself. Modi has already released Rs 300 crore for flood relief operations in Assam. The Prime Minister on Tuesday morning arrived in Assam on a day-long visit to review the flood situation and relief works in the state. After arriving at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International airport around 10 a.m., Modi headed straight to Khanapara area in an Indian Air Force chopper. He was received by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The Prime Minister later held meetings with Assam ministers, alliance partners of the BJP-led government in the state, and the Chief Ministers of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, at Assam Administrative Staff College in Khanapara.