Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced an enhanced relief package for families hit by the state’s severe floods, offering an additional Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person and an immediate interim grant of Rs 15,000 for every flood-affected family in the worst-hit districts.
Speaking to the media after reviewing the flood situation, Sarma acknowledged the limits of monetary aid, saying, “The pain of losing loved ones cannot be alleviated by any amount of financial assistance.” He said the state government remained committed to supporting affected families throughout the crisis.
Sarma clarified that the additional Rs 5 lakh would come from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and would be paid on top of the existing ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh provided under prescribed norms, taking the total compensation to Rs 9 lakh for each bereaved family.
The interim assistance of Rs 15,000 is intended to meet urgent needs and will be disbursed to all eligible flood-affected households in the worst-affected districts without discrimination. Sarma specified that beneficiaries will include categories sometimes excluded from compensation schemes, such as government employees, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Mid-Day Meal workers.
The announcement comes as Assam grapples with one of the season’s worst flood spells, which has displaced thousands, damaged homes, agricultural land and public infrastructure. The state government said it is coordinating relief and rehabilitation with district administrations while rescue operations and distribution of essential supplies continue.
