Budget 2024-25: How much assistance will Assam and Sikkim receive for floods?

Guwahati: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday addressed the issue of floods in Assam and Sikkim but did not specify the exact amounts allocated for flood relief in these states.

Regarding Assam, she stated, "Assam grapples with floods every year by the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, originating outside India. We will provide assistance to Assam for flood management and related projects." However, the precise amount of assistance was not detailed.

Almost every year three to four waves of flood ravage the flood-prone areas of Assam. The average annual loss due to flood in Assam is to the tune of Rs. 200 crore.

Similarly, for Sikkim, she noted, "Recently Sikkim witnessed devastating flash floods and landslides that wreaked havoc across the state. Our Government will provide assistance to the state." Again, the specific financial support was not mentioned. On 4 October 2023, heavy rains caused the glacial South Lhonak lake in Sikkim to breach its banks, causing a glacial lake outburst flood that killed over 90 people. It was the deadliest flood in the area after the 1968 Sikkim floods when around 1000 people were killed.

In contrast, Bihar was assured of receiving Rs.11,500 crores for the Kosi-Mechi intra-state link and 20 other ongoing and new schemes, including barrages, river pollution abatement, and irrigation projects. She added, "In addition, survey and investigation of Kosi-related flood mitigation and irrigation projects will be undertaken." A large amount of funds have also been allotted for Andhra Pradesh. 

Meanwhile, the opposition is up in arms against the budget, claiming that favours states ruled by the BJP and its allies. The Congress on Tuesday announced that their chief ministers — Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, Revanth Reddy of Telangana, and Sukhvinder Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh — will be absent from the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting set for July 27.

Additionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin has also declared his intention to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a protest gesture.