"Even our dogs don’t sleep on such mattresses”: Sivasagar residents flag poor-quality flood relief

Questions have been raised over the quality and distribution of mattresses being provided to flood-affected people in Sivasagar’s Hatikhuli, with locals urging the district administration to inspect the relief materials.

Locals have questioned the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner over the condition of the mattresses being distributed among flood-affected families.

“Do you know what is the condition of the mattresses that your office is distributing to the people of Hatikhuli?” a local asked, urging the administration to take note of the quality of the relief material.

Locals also alleged that the number of mattresses supplied was insufficient to cover all affected families. According to them, each ward in Hatikhuli has around 150 families, but mattresses have reportedly been provided for only about 50 families.

“If you do not know about this, please have a look at the poor-quality materials being distributed and take some action,” the local said.

The issue comes after the Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam (FREMAA), under the Water Resources Department, reportedly distributed around one lakh mattresses among flood-affected people in four districts.

See our Assamese report here:

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has also raised concerns over the quality and adequacy of the mattresses distributed as relief. He questioned whether the materials supplied to flood-affected people were appropriate and sought accountability over their procurement and distribution.

Locals have urged the district administration to conduct an inspection of the relief materials and ensure that all eligible flood-affected families receive adequate and usable mattresses.