In a unusual show of authority, the Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Kumar Gogoi today flayed the state government for its alleged failure in implementing flood control measures saying the state "can not run on assurances".
During Question Hour, minister of state (Independent Charge) for Water Resources Rajib Lochan Pegu answered a query on erosion and flood control measures asked by Asom Gana Parishad's (AGP) Phani Bhusan Choudhury.
Dissatisfied with the reply, Gogoi said, "Nothing has happened so far to stop erosion along the Brahmaputra and other rivers. So many schemes were launched but no action has been taken. There should be a systematic approach to handle the flood situation."
The Speaker gave an example of an embankment breach about two years ago, which has not been repaired till now with full satisfaction.
"The CM has given assurance. You have given assurance. Everyone is giving assurance. Assam can not run on assurance," Gogoi said.
He expressed unhappiness on the government starting work on erosion and repairing breached embankments just before the onset of monsoon every year.
Replying to this, Pegu said "Funds for this are usually approved in March and we finally get it around April. So it takes a lot of time. We have already requested the Centre to expedite the process.
