Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a comprehensive relief package for families affected by the recent floods in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat, announcing direct financial assistance, revised compensation norms for victims’ families and special educational support for students.
The Chief Minister said the flood death toll in the state has risen to 75, while seven people, mostly from Nazira in Sivasagar district, remain missing.
Sarma announced that the next of kin of those who died in the floods will receive ₹9 lakh as ex-gratia assistance. The compensation includes ₹5 lakh from the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and ₹4 lakh from the Central Government.
In a major relaxation, he said families will no longer be required to submit a postmortem report to claim the compensation.
For the seven persons still missing in Nazira, the government has decided to extend the benefit of doubt. If they are not traced within one month, their families will become eligible for the same
To help flood-hit households recover after the disaster, the state government will provide ₹15,000 to each affected family through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in the four worst-affected districts.
The financial assistance is intended to help families purchase essential household items, including clothing and utensils, and undertake cleaning and repair work after floodwaters recede.
According to the Chief Minister, more than one lakh families are expected to benefit from the scheme.
The government has also announced additional support for beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme in the four severely affected districts.
Instead of the scheduled payment on August 3, beneficiaries in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat will receive their monthly assistance on August 1. Each beneficiary will receive ₹2,500, taking their total immediate financial support to ₹17,500 when combined with the special flood relief.
Sarma added that Orunodoi beneficiaries in other districts would also receive their monthly assistance, although the additional support would not be the same as that announced for the worst-hit districts.
The Chief Minister also announced a special package to help students resume their studies after the floods.
Students in Charaideo and Sivasagar will be provided with new school uniforms and free textbooks.
In addition, Higher Secondary students will receive ₹1,000 to purchase books, undergraduate BA and BSc students will be given ₹3,000, while postgraduate students will receive ₹5,000 to replace books and study materials damaged or lost in the floods.
The announcements come as Upper Assam continues to recover from one of its most severe flood disasters in recent years, which has caused extensive damage to homes, agriculture, roads and other public infrastructure.
