Badruddin Ajmal urges Centre to declare Assam floods a national calamity, seeks Rs 10,000 crore relief package

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) president Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday, July 25 appealed to the Centre to declare the ongoing floods in Assam a national calamity and sanction a Rs 10,000 crore relief and rehabilitation package, saying the scale of devastation across the state required immediate and coordinated intervention.

After touring several flood-affected areas, Ajmal described the situation as one of the worst humanitarian crises Assam has witnessed in recent years. He said thousands of families were struggling with hunger, displacement and an acute shortage of food, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. The AIUDF chief said he encountered widespread distress during his visit, with many residents continuing to await adequate assistance.

Ajmal also acknowledged the efforts of local communities that had stepped in to support those affected by the floods. He thanked members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities for opening their homes and providing food and shelter to stranded families, describing their response as an example of humanity prevailing in times of crisis.

Claiming that he had already spent nearly ₹2.5 crore on relief work, Ajmal alleged that government assistance had not reached many flood victims. He called for an independent inquiry into the distribution of relief materials and financial assistance, raising concerns over whether relief supplies were reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Drawing attention to conditions in relief camps, Ajmal said women were facing severe hardships due to the absence of adequate sanitation facilities. To address some of the immediate needs, he announced plans to distribute one lakh one-litre bottles of drinking water and arrange 10,000 toilets for women in flood-affected areas.

The AIUDF chief also highlighted the impact of the disaster on school-going children, saying many students had remained without food for days while their education had been severely disrupted. He appealed to the Centre, the Assam government and the Education Department to provide books, notebooks, pencils and other learning materials to help children resume their studies once conditions improve.

Ajmal further announced financial assistance for damaged Namghars, members of the media affected by the floods and families whose houses had been fully or partially damaged. He said the assistance would be extended after due verification of claims.

Sharing an experience from his visit, Ajmal said he met a former athlete who had once received a prestigious national honour but was now struggling to meet basic needs after being affected by the floods. He said he had provided immediate financial assistance of ₹1 lakh and committed a monthly support of ₹10,000 for the sportsperson. Ajmal added that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the President, seeking official recognition and long-term government support for the athlete.

Reiterating that the destruction caused by the floods had overwhelmed affected communities, Ajmal urged both the Centre and the Assam government to intensify relief and rehabilitation efforts. He said the magnitude of the disaster warranted sustained financial support and swift implementation of rehabilitation measures to help affected families rebuild their lives.