Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 12 said the state government will verify funds raised by 72 YouTubers from within and outside Assam for flood relief to determine whether the money reached the state and how it was spent.
Sarma said the government welcomed the initiatives of content creators and individuals who had mobilised resources for flood-affected people. However, he stressed the need for proper accounting of privately raised funds to prevent duplication of relief activities.
“Seventy-two YouTubers have raised funds from outside the state. We are looking into whether the funds have reached the state or not,” Sarma said.
The chief minister also appreciated Assam-based YouTuber and grassroots relief worker Samay Gogoi for his contribution to the flood response.
“Samay Gogoi has done a good job,” Sarma said, noting that several other individuals had also come forward to support relief operations.
Sarma said those who collected funds would be asked to provide details of their expenditure, including the locations and purposes for which the money was used. The government, he said, wants to ensure that multiple groups do not spend resources on the same relief requirements while other affected areas remain underserved.
The chief minister added that the government would recognise the contributions of YouTubers and other individuals engaged in flood relief and honour them with traditional gamosas. However, he made it clear that the accounts would be examined before such recognition is given.
The Assam Police Cyber Cell is also monitoring accounts associated with the fundraising campaigns, Sarma said.
Gogoi has emerged as a prominent grassroots relief worker during the ongoing floods. Using his personal savings and mobilising additional resources, he has reached isolated communities with essential supplies, including food, drinking water and medicines.
Through his initiative, Project Golden Assam, Gogoi has also helped rescue stranded animals and supported the reconstruction of homes damaged by the floods.
Sarma’s remarks come amid a growing wave of fundraising and relief efforts by social media creators, voluntary organisations and individuals both within Assam and elsewhere.
The government’s move to verify privately collected funds is aimed at improving transparency and coordination while ensuring that relief reaches flood-affected communities efficiently and without overlapping efforts.