GUWAHATI: Victims of the floods in Assam will get cash for a few items that they were entitled to, but never received for five years.
The Assam Disaster Management Manual 2015 states that utensils and clothes shall be provided to flood-affected people.
Victims residing in designated relief camps and those living in camp-like situations after being displaced, will be given Rs. 5000 each to purchase these items.
This payment will be made through direct benefit transfer.
Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the Deputy Commissioners of the district have been asked to make sure that immediate transfer of Rs. 3800 and Rs. 1800 is made to the bank accounts of the head of the flood-affected families for purchase of utensils and clothes respectively.
He also added that even though this provision has existed in the manual, it will be implemented “more or less for the first time.”
The Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to ensure that cattle feed and free textbooks are distributed to school children in flood-affected areas, in addition to settling claims for rehabilitation grants for partially or fully damaged houses within one month.
It should be noted that as of July 22, Monday, 33,55,837 people continue to be affected by the floods in over 2000 villages across the state, while the death toll has risen to 67 persons and 187 animals have also died.
(Inputs The Hindu)