Washing his hands off the devastating floods, Union Minister for Water Resources (MoWR) Prof Saifuddin Soz has clarified that his Ministry cannot control floods but normally comeS into the picture only before and after the onset of the monsoon season. Briefing newsmen about the achievements of his Ministry, Prof Soz said when any State is hit by floods it is the Union Home Ministry's job to provide relief and rehabilitation. "This Ministry cannot control flood,' he clarified. Repair of bunds and embankments, essential components of the flood control measures, take place before and after close of the monsoon, he added. The Minister's statement may come as a surprise for a State like Assam, devastated by onslaught of waves of floods. Part of the devastation caused by the floods in the State is also because most of bunds, dykes and embankments gave away. Replying to questions, he said that a sum of Rs 1,370 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for repair of embankments in two-three years. This fiscal, Rs 649 crore is proposed to be disbursed, of which Rs 134 crore has been released. The MoWR has earmarked Rs 90 crore for flood control projects in the 11th Plan in Assam, of which Rs 43.17 crore has been released last year, Secretary MoWR, UN Panjiar said. Besides, a State-sector scheme,