Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive relief package for flood-affected families in the state’s worst-hit districts, announcing Rs 15,000 in direct financial assistance, simplified compensation norms for families of flood victims, and special support for students whose education has been disrupted by the disaster.

Addressing the public through a Facebook Live session, Sarma said the floods have claimed 68 lives so far, while seven people remain missing, most of them from Nazira in Sivasagar district.

Rs 9 lakh ex-gratia without postmortem

In a major relief measure, the chief minister announced that the families of those who died in the floods would receive Rs 9 lakh in ex-gratia assistance, comprising Rs 5 lakh from the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 4 lakh from the Central government.

To ease the burden on grieving families, Sarma said a postmortem report would no longer be mandatory for claiming compensation. He also announced a special provision for the seven people reported missing from Nazira. If they remain untraced after one month, their families will become eligible for the ex-gratia payment based on a missing certificate issued by the concerned Circle Office.

Rs 15,000 DBT for over one lakh families

The chief minister said that while relief materials have been distributed extensively, many families urgently require financial assistance to restore their homes and replace essential belongings lost in the floods. Accordingly, the government will provide Rs 15,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to every flood-affected family in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat.

The one-time assistance is intended to help beneficiaries purchase clothes, utensils and other household essentials, besides supporting cleaning and restoration work after floodwaters recede. According to the chief minister, more than one lakh families are expected to benefit from the interim relief.

Early Orunodoi payment with enhanced support

Sarma also announced additional assistance for beneficiaries of the Orunodoi welfare scheme in the four worst-affected districts. Instead of the scheduled release on August 3, the monthly instalment will be credited on August 1, with beneficiaries in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat receiving Rs 2,500 each. Combined with the special flood assistance, eligible households will receive Rs 17,500 in immediate financial support.

He added that Orunodoi beneficiaries in other flood-affected parts of Assam would also receive their payments, though at the regular entitlement.

Education support for flood-hit students

Recognising the impact of the floods on education, the chief minister announced a dedicated assistance package for students in Charaideo and Sivasagar.

School students will receive new uniforms and free textbooks to replace those damaged in the floods. Higher Secondary students will be provided Rs 1,000 to purchase books, undergraduate students pursuing BA and BSc courses will receive Rs 3,000, while postgraduate students will be given Rs 5,000 to replace study materials lost during the disaster.

The announcements come as Assam continues recovery efforts following one of the state’s worst flood spells in recent years. Although water levels have begun receding in several districts, over 4.45 lakh people remain affected, 631 villages are still inundated, and nearly 28,700 displaced residents continue to stay in relief camps and relief distribution centres across the state.