Kokrajhar, July 17: Floods, erosion and rehabilitation were the issues brought up during question hour on the first day of the two-day summer session of the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly, which began today.

During question hour, most members raised the issue of floods, which had caused havoc in their constituencies, because of the incessant rain and release of water from Bhutan.

Replying to a question, BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary said the Bodolan Territorial Areas District (BTAD) falls in the Himalayan slope and hence, is vulnerable to erosion. He said the flood problem is perennial in Assam and should be declared a national crisis and called for the need to protect forest areas to control the erosion.

“Rivers like Sankosh, Ai, Beki, Hell, Bornodi, Dwifam and Pagladia, which flow through the Bodo belt downstream from Bhutan, are the main rivers which need to be controlled to check erosion,” Borgoyary said. He said the house should take up a resolution for permanent solution of the flood and erosion problem.

Mono Kumar Brahma, executive member, water resources department, said necessary steps have been taken by the council to control floods and erosion.

He said despite not having a relief and rehabilitation department, the council was doing everything to provide relief to the flood-affected people.

BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary tabled the Bodoland Village Council Bill, 2012, which the Assembly members are likely to pass tomorrow.

The session began with Speaker Paniram Brahma announcing the report of the Business Advisory Committee. He then announced the names of members constituting the panel of chairman under Rule 9(1) of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the BTC Legislative Assembly.

Laben Basumatary, chairman of the enquiry committee, also tabled his report during the session.

The Assembly members also observed a one-minute silence in honour of poet Hiren Bhattacharjya, who passed away recently.