Extending help to people in difficult times is important: CM

Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday  said that he is in touch with the Central government for post-flood relief and informed that the Centre will release the funds following all procedures. 

Dr Saha said this while addressing the Flood Relief and Management Programme at Rabindra Bhavan in Agartala on Tuesday . 

He emphasized the importance of extending a helping hand to people in difficult times.

“Reaching out to the people in times of any disaster with prompt response is one of the goals of this government," he said.  The Chief Minister also lauded the social works of Abhoy Mission.

He said, Tripura has witnessed devastating flood in August, 2024. The people never experienced such a disaster in the state before.

“On August 19, I was in Delhi. After returning to state on the same day, I held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and other senior officials. We discussed the situation and decided on the necessary actions. Everyone, from officers to the general public, contributed to overcoming the disaster," he said.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged and appreciated the efforts made by various voluntary organizations and other groups during this time of crisis.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that Abhoy Mission and its affiliated organizations have helped about 5,600 flood-affected families.

“The Central Government has also provided all possible assistance to deal with the flood situation. Various organizations, including the Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, and others, worked together to manage the crisis. During this time of hardship, everyone contributed to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. This will serve as an example in the future too. People from all walks of life—including small children, students, employees, pensioners, businessmen, clubs, and social organizations—extended helping hands,” he said.

He further stated that in this flood, all the major rivers of the state, except for the Juri River, had crossed the danger mark. 

“Among the eight districts in the state, Gomati, South, and Sepahijala districts were the most affected. Other districts also suffered more or less damages. About 17 lakh people were affected by this flood. Among them, approximately four lakh people were shifted to safe shelters, and 889 relief camps were opened. Unfortunately, we lost about 38 people in this disaster. A total of 58,687 houses suffered damages. The state saw damages of around Rs. 15,000 crore due to flood," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that he informed Delhi about this and spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"We requested for financial assistance. Later, a central delegation inspected the situation. I am in touch with the Central government to provide the required relief assistance, and the Centre has assured us of the necessary support after completing all procedures,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that an amount of Rs. 564 crore, including funds from budget, was allocated to address the disaster.

“Our government has taken swift measures to deal with the disaster and has handled the situation efficiently,” he said. 

He reiterated that when people face such disaster, it is crucial to extend a helping hand. 

“One of the goals of this government is to promptly reach out to people in times of need,” he added. 

The District Magistrate of West Tripura, Dr. Vishal Kumar, Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manik Lal Das, along with officials from the organizing body and other distinguished guests, were present at the event.