Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The death toll from Assam's devastating floods climbed to 75 on Tuesday. Seven more lives were lost in the Nazira revenue circle of Sivasagar district over a 24-hour window. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority reported 332,639 people are currently affected across seven districts. These include Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Kamrup Metropolitan. Waters still submerge 622 villages and 45,341.98 hectares of cropland.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a major financial lifeline. Families of the deceased will receive 9 lakh rupees in ex-gratia payments. This total includes 4 lakh rupees in standard compensation and an additional 5 lakh rupees from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The government has scrapped the mandatory post-mortem requirement. Families now only need a certificate from the local circle officer. This rule also applies to those missing for over 30 days.
The state is launching direct transfers of 15,000 rupees to over one lakh severely affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. "Over and above the Rs 4 lakh ex gratia per victim that is paid at present, we have decided to give additional Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased from the CM's Relief Fund," Sarma stated. Orunodoi scheme beneficiaries in these districts will receive their August payment of 2,500 rupees early on August 1.
Students in Charaideo and Sivasagar will get new uniforms and free textbooks. Higher secondary students receive 1,000 rupees for books, undergraduates get 3,000 rupees, and postgraduate students receive 5,000 rupees. The Assam State School Education Board is also issuing duplicate marksheets and certificates for free. Application fees and police report requirements are waived for affected students.
Lawmakers are mobilizing funds. Most Assam Legislative Assembly members pledged one month's salary to relief efforts. The Raijor Dal remained silent on the measure. BJP workers are running a statewide drive to distribute clothes to four lakh women and children. Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika promised free paddy seeds to farmers in Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo.
An inter-ministerial central team recently wrapped up a three-day inspection of the worst-hit districts. They will submit a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs to determine future federal assistance. Meanwhile, former MLA Debabrata Saikia has urged the state to launch a Dikhow River basin rehabilitation project funded by the District Mineral Foundation Trust to restore long-term stability to the region.
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