Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a sweeping recovery plan for flood-ravaged Upper Assam. The government intends to stabilize the region following record-breaking destruction. Sarma detailed plans for insurance assistance, financial aid, school restoration, and massive infrastructure repairs.
The state government meets with insurance companies on August 5. They aim to simplify claim processing for damaged livestock, vehicles, and assets. Discussions with Non-Banking Financial Companies follow the same day. This builds on a six-month loan repayment moratorium declared on July 30.
Assessment for the Rs 15,000 family relief packages wraps up in two days. Teachers are verifying the rolls now. The government expects to release these funds by August 2 or 3. Meanwhile, Rs 8 crore moves to the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan on August 1. This money buys replacement school uniforms.
Sarma identified 550 flooded schools in Sivasagar and several in Charaideo. Each school gets Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh for mud removal and structural repairs. Schools should reopen by August 9, though August 15 is a backup. Textbook distribution has started. Students face varying aid tiers of Rs 1,000, Rs 3,000, and Rs 5,000 based on their losses. Permanent housing surveys begin August 7. District officials have 15 days to finish.
Relief stockpiles have reached families. Figures include 23,730 quintals of rice, 4,541 quintals of pulses, and 1,18,110 litres of mustard oil. Road and embankment repairs wait until September. Regarding a potential visit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma noted the strain on local resources. He stated, "Each day, while infiltrators try to execute their nefarious designs in Assam, we keep on thwarting their plans and taking action against them."
The Chief Minister confirmed Assam Police apprehended 14 alleged infiltrators on July 31. He provided no specifics on the identities or operation sites. The state maintains a strict stance on immigration. Records show 2,100 foreigners deported over the last decade, with 2,023 originating from Bangladesh.
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