JORHAT, Sept 15: In response to a strong demand from various quarters of the State, the Central Government had handed over the task of Majuli protection to the Brahmaputra Board, a statutory body set up by the Government of India under the Ministry of Water Resource as per provisions of the Brahmaputra Board Act, 1980. Consequently, the Asom Government handed over execution of its water resource schemes in Majuli to the Board since 2003 for protection of the island from erosion. Surprisingly, the board has failed to protect the island from the Brahmaputra even after more than five years of execution of its mega projects. The board has even failed to complete a number of most important stone spur projects that were started way back in 2004.
The Government of India sanctioned a project prepared by the Brahmaputra Board amounting to Rs 86.56 crore in 2005 for protection of Majuli from flood and erosion. The project was to be implemented in phases. The government has already released Rs 46 crore in this regard, and the remaining amount is to be released soon. But the Brahmaputra Board is yet to complete the stone spur construction projects in southern part of the island starting from Jaborchook Kataniati of Ujani Majuli to Karati Okhalchook in Namoni Majuli. The term of completion of the project was three years, but it was extended two years back. After over two years, the Board authorities claim that they have completed 70 per cent works, but the local people say that only about 60 per cent work of the project is over. The people of Majuli fail to understand as to why the government allows such delay in implementation of projects that have much to do with the life and property of people.
When contacted, Brahmaputra Board Chief Engineer D J Borgohain said that the government had released the funds in three instalments, and after completion of the first phase the Board was starting works of the second phase. Pointing out some departmental processes as one of the causes for the delay in the release of funds, he said: “Our river planning measures have been initiated systematically.”
Talking to The Sentinel, Majuli MLA Rajiv Lochan Pegu said: “The Brahmaputra Board has totally failed in Majuli due to irregularities of some top officials engaged in the works. The officials are not skilled enough, and the board should be reorganized”. THE SENTINEL
The Government of India sanctioned a project prepared by the Brahmaputra Board amounting to Rs 86.56 crore in 2005 for protection of Majuli from flood and erosion. The project was to be implemented in phases. The government has already released Rs 46 crore in this regard, and the remaining amount is to be released soon. But the Brahmaputra Board is yet to complete the stone spur construction projects in southern part of the island starting from Jaborchook Kataniati of Ujani Majuli to Karati Okhalchook in Namoni Majuli. The term of completion of the project was three years, but it was extended two years back. After over two years, the Board authorities claim that they have completed 70 per cent works, but the local people say that only about 60 per cent work of the project is over. The people of Majuli fail to understand as to why the government allows such delay in implementation of projects that have much to do with the life and property of people.
When contacted, Brahmaputra Board Chief Engineer D J Borgohain said that the government had released the funds in three instalments, and after completion of the first phase the Board was starting works of the second phase. Pointing out some departmental processes as one of the causes for the delay in the release of funds, he said: “Our river planning measures have been initiated systematically.”
Talking to The Sentinel, Majuli MLA Rajiv Lochan Pegu said: “The Brahmaputra Board has totally failed in Majuli due to irregularities of some top officials engaged in the works. The officials are not skilled enough, and the board should be reorganized”. THE SENTINEL
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