Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pushed back against critics on August 3, defending his government’s Rs 15,000 interim aid package for families devastated by recent floods. Addressing skepticism regarding the payment, Sarma dismissed detractors during a visit to Sivasagar district’s flood-hit areas.
"Whoever is making fun of us doesn't know us. The people of Nazira constituency and Sivasagar district love us and we will help them for many days," Sarma said. The Chief Minister insisted the initial payout is not the final support and emphasized his focus remains on recovery rather than political sparring.
The state has earmarked Rs 160 crore to support 75,000 families across Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. Officials plan to provide the first installment of Rs 15,000 to over 60,000 households immediately, with an additional Rs 10,000 promised after seven days. Further, families in Sivasagar and Charaideo unable to return home by August 9 will receive another Rs 10,000 starting August 10.
Minister Pijush Hazarika confirmed the government’s pledge to rebuild villages destroyed since the July 19 disaster. In the worst-hit areas like Nepalikhuti, residents reported that out of 283 houses, fewer than 20 remain standing. Villagers urged the Chief Minister to construct a guard wall along the Dikhow River and halt stone quarrying, which they claim altered the river’s course and fueled the destruction.
The state also announced livestock compensation under State Disaster Response Fund norms. Eligible families will receive Rs 37,500 for each of up to three large animals, Rs 4,000 for each of up to 30 small animals like goats or pigs, and Rs 100 per bird for up to 100 poultry. This follows reports of staggering losses, including 1,000 dead cattle.
The Gorkha Development Council is currently building temporary shelters and storage facilities for fodder, as many residents have nowhere to live. Damage assessment teams are scheduled to begin training on August 7 in Jorhat and August 8 in Nazira, with a full ground-level survey of losses across the four districts starting August 10.
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