Guwahati, 21 February (HS): State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta has said that the Disaster Management Department is not responsible for the nuisance caused by monkeys and rats. He said that according to the rules, the Disaster Management Department compensates for the nuisance caused by wild elephants or other animals, but nowhere has the nuisance of rats and monkeys been included in this category. Rats and monkeys are neither in the domestic category nor in the wild category. Minister Mahanta was replying to the discussion on the cut motion of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department on the fourth day of the ongoing budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday.

During the discussion, members expressed concern over the damage to crops caused by monkeys and rats and demanded compensation from the government. Many members of the ruling and opposition parties, including MLAs Ajay Kumar Rai, Bipul Barman, Charan Boro, Aminul Islam (Junior), Leader of Opposition Devvrat Saikia, participated in this discussion.

Responding to the issues raised by the MLAs after the discussion, the minister said that the Revenue Department of Assam was formed in 1874. At the same time, the first law related to revenue, Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act 1986, was made in 1886 during the British era. In the 150 years since the formation of this law, no government could solve the land related problems. Many governments after independence amended this law from time to time. But even today the same law basically exists.

The minister said that three years ago, with the formation of the government of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister called a three-day meeting of ministers in Kaziranga. It was decided in the meeting that the government would solve the land related problems in the form of a mission. And from here the concept of Mission Basundhara started. The minister told how a permanent solution to the land related problems has been found through Basundhara One, Two and Three.

In his reply, the minister told how the Disaster Management Department provided relief to people on a large scale during this period from flood relief and other natural disasters. During this, the minister presented detailed data in this regard in the House.

On the fourth day of the session today, two bills related to the Finance Department were presented. At the same time, the Right to Public Services Amendment Bill 2025, presented for discussion on the floor of the House on the first day, was passed by voice vote. After this, the proceedings of the Assembly were adjourned till March 3.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash