Assam Flood Relief: 62,000 Families Get ₹15,000 Aid

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the disbursement of interim financial assistance of ₹15,000 each to flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts on Monday.

The assistance is being provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to support families affected by the recent floods. Around 75,000 flood-affected families are to receive the interim assistance, with 62,696 families receiving the aid in the first phase.

The Chief Minister launched the disbursal at a programme held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Dibrugarh. He also virtually released the state subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for eligible beneficiaries from the four flood-affected districts.

The state government has credited around ₹160 crore directly into the bank accounts of families affected by the floods. The remaining eligible beneficiaries will receive the assistance by August 5, based on assessment reports and beneficiary lists submitted by the district commissioners.

The Chief Minister also released the state subsidy of ₹41.67 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for 9,289 eligible beneficiaries in the four districts.

Addressing the programme, Sarma said the state government had taken a series of measures to support people affected by the recent floods. He appreciated the resilience shown by residents in the four districts and thanked them for their cooperation during the crisis.

The state government has also taken other relief measures, including transferring ₹2,500 each to the bank accounts of Orunodoi beneficiaries in the four districts on August 1. Discussions with banks have resulted in a six-month moratorium on repayment of various loans taken by flood-affected people.

Discussions with insurance companies have led to measures for quicker settlement of claims relating to house, vehicle, business, and life insurance. Insurance companies will appoint district-level nodal officers, establish dedicated helplines, and process claims with minimal documentation.

The Chief Minister said rebuilding flood-damaged infrastructure, particularly in Sivasagar and Charaideo, is a priority for the government. An immediate grant of ₹2.10 lakh has been announced for the repair of each flood-damaged school.

The survey for compensation for permanent flood damage has begun, and the compensation is expected to be released by August or the first week of September.

The Assam government's efforts to provide relief to flood-affected families are a significant step towards supporting those in need. The state's measures to rebuild infrastructure and provide financial assistance will help families recover from the devastating effects of the floods.

The situation highlights the importance of disaster management and the need for governments to be prepared to respond to natural disasters. The Assam government's response to the floods serves as an example of the measures that can be taken to support affected communities.