Guwahati, 03 August (HS): Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Monday announced a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for families affected by the recent floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. The government has started the first phase of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to nearly 75,000 eligible flood-affected families to support immediate recovery.
An assistance of ₹15,000 per family, involving a total outlay of around ₹112 crore, is being transferred. The package includes ₹2,500 for clothing, ₹2,500 for utensils, ₹3,000 as SDRF livelihood support and an additional ₹7,000 from the State Government. The transfer process began on Monday and will continue until August 5.
The announcement comes under the direction of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, with the government reiterating its commitment to ensuring that no affected family is left without assistance.
The State Government has also approved a series of additional relief measures. These include an extra ₹10,000 assistance for affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo from August 10, waiver of electricity charges for up to 300 units consumed in July for domestic consumers in the two districts, and exemption from payment of land revenue for one year.
Eligible households will receive financial aid for restoration of damaged houses, compensation for livestock losses, assistance for installation of hand tube wells, support for damaged looms and handloom products, and compensation for crop damage and other livelihood losses after assessment.
The package also includes financial assistance for repairing flood-damaged Anganwadi centres, schools and Namghars, while insurance claims will be fast-tracked through dedicated district-level nodal officers and round-the-clock helplines.
To address post-flood health concerns, the Health and Family Welfare Department will organise mega health camps in every Assembly constituency of the affected districts, while the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department will conduct animal health camps.
The government said it has already supplied large quantities of relief materials, including rice, pulses, mustard oil, salt, drinking water and other essential items. Ex gratia assistance of ₹9 lakh per deceased person is also being provided to the next of kin, while ₹5.64 crore has already been released for debris clearance.
Chief Secretary Ravi Kota appreciated the efforts of district administrations, disaster response agencies, volunteers and civil society organisations, and reaffirmed the Assam Government's commitment to ensuring timely rehabilitation and speedy recovery for all flood-affected communities.---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
