Guwahati: The Assam government is intensifying its crackdown on unauthorised public collections for flood relief, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently instructing the police to take stringent action against those soliciting donations. The directive, issued on Thursday, specifically targets individuals and groups found collecting funds through roadside campaigns, donation boxes, or digital payment methods like QR code scanners, deemed no longer necessary.
Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that the entire flood relief and rehabilitation process is now firmly under the state government's comprehensive supervision. He clarified that while spontaneous public initiatives and collections, often driven by commendable community spirit, might have been understandable and even crucial during the initial chaotic phase of the floods, when immediate government access to all affected regions was challenging due to widespread inundation and damaged infrastructure, the situation has significantly evolved.
"There is no longer any need for people to collect donations from the public in this manner," Sarma stated unequivocally. He highlighted that government agencies now possess comprehensive and unimpeded access to all flood-hit areas, bolstered by substantially improved logistical capabilities and a robust relief distribution network. Furthermore, affected citizens are now fully aware and capable of directly approaching designated authorities for assistance, rendering independent public collections redundant and potentially confusing.
This decisive move by the administration underscores its unwavering commitment to streamline relief distribution and prevent any potential misuse or misdirection of funds. It aims to ensure that aid reaches genuine beneficiaries solely through official, organised channels, thereby fostering greater transparency and accountability in the ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts across the state.
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