Asked by The Telegraph why the Centre was not declaring the perennial floods in Assam a national problem, a long-standing demand of the state, Balyan said, "Any problem in the country is a national problem. You can quote me : Assam flood is a national problem and the Centre will do whatever is required, both in the short and long term, to mitigate the problems. There is a perception that it is not being treated as a national problem. He also said the "national problem" status should see the financial responsibility of tackling floods in Assam shift to the Centre. Irrigation projects Balyan also asserted that it will complete the three Assam irrigation projects started in the eighties by March next year by releasing the required funds within a month.

Source: The Telegraph September 14, 2016 21:29 UTC