71st Independence Day:Silt, sand carried by rivers causing Assam floods says Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI (INDIA): Celebrating 71st Independence Day amid devastating flood across the state, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said the main cause of the havoc created by Brahmaputra river is silt and sand carried by rivers from other states.nn”The root cause of Brahmaputras flood is large amount of silt and sand carried by the rivers from neighbouring states,” Sonowal said after hoisting the national flag at the official ceremony here.nnThe river bed of Brahmaputra is rising gradually and reducing its water carrying capacity, he said.nn”The prime cause of increasing silt and sand carried by rain water is deforestation in the neighbouring states. We have apprised the prime minister of the matter during his recent Guwahati visit,” he said.nnSonowal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of his full support and cooperation towards finding a lasting solution to the problem by taking up the matter with the neighbouring states.nnThe deluge has caused massive damage in different parts of the state and has claimed lives of many persons, besides affecting the wildlife, Sonowal said.nnThe state government is extending all help in providing relief and rehabilitation to the sufferers and is committed to take up the restoration wok in a time-bound manner, he said.nThe chief minister said the revenue collection has increased 21.6 per cent to Rs 15,620 crore in the last fiscal from Rs 12,848 crore in 2015-16.nn”The plan expenditure has increased to 64.46 per cent in 2016-17 against only 37 per cent in 2015-16. Similarly, total fund released from the state exchequer in 2016-17 was Rs 53,562 crore against Rs 39,805 crore in 2015-16,” he said.nnSonowal also said that his government has adopted a policy of zero-tolerance against any form of corruption in the state.nnThe Assam government has taken a pledge to make the state free from corruption, illegal immigrants, terrorism and pollution, the chief minister said.nnSource: Press Trust of India