Guwahati, Aug 13: Former Assam Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene in alleged irregularities in flood relief distribution in Nazira and adjoining areas, claiming that several genuinely affected families have been left out of beneficiary lists. In a letter to Sarma on Thursday, Saikia alleged that relief lists covering flood-hit families in Sintak Bormising, N-Kapahua, Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat and other parts of Nazira were prepared and approved on a “partisan basis”, depriving several deserving families of the announced assistance.

“Several families whose houses were completely submerged or severely damaged during the floods had yet to receive relief,” the letter, written in Assamese, said. Saikia specifically referred to complaints from residents of Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat, who alleged that the panchayat president had not acted impartially and that the beneficiary list had been prepared selectively, leaving out genuine flood victims.

His letter also cited two cases to highlight what he described as gaps in flood relief and emergency response in Nazira. Saikia referred to the death of Gyanjit Barua on July 20, saying his wife, Chandraprabha Barua, alleged that no vehicle was available to take him to hospital for dialysis treatment during the floods.

According to the letter, the family contacted 108, the local Nazira police station and the gaonburha, but assistance did not arrive in time. Saikia termed it a “serious failure” of emergency response and sought Rs 9 lakh in compensation for Barua’s family from the NDRF and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, urging that the death be recognised as flood-related.

He also cited Moni Borgohain of N-Kapahua, who alleged that the locality was inundated but no family had received the announced Rs 15,000 relief. “Not a single family in the area has received the announced Rs 15,000 relief,” Saikia quoted the complaint as saying.

Saikia urged the Chief Minister to ensure that relief reaches affected families in Sintak Bormising, N-Kapahua, Khatkhati Gaon Panchayat and other areas, while seeking an impartial inquiry into beneficiary selection, relief distribution and emergency response.