Guwahati: Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Thursday reviewed the progress of flood relief and rehabilitation efforts in four of the state’s worst-affected districts, directing officials to speed up damage assessment, financial assistance and livelihood restoration for affected families.
The review was conducted through a video conference with the district administrations of Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo and Golaghat as part of a meeting of the District Consultative Committee (DCC). The meeting was attended by district commissioners, representatives of banks, insurance companies and officials from various government departments.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated response, Kota called for close collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure relief measures are implemented efficiently. He instructed officials to maintain daily monitoring of progress and ensure eligible beneficiaries receive assistance without delay.
A major focus of the meeting was the assessment of flood-related losses across sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, livestock, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and allied activities. The Chief Secretary directed district authorities to complete technology-enabled, field-verified damage assessments by August 14, while sector-wise reports are to be submitted to the respective committees by August 18.
To improve coordination in processing insurance claims, the state government has appointed dedicated insurance nodal officers for each of the four districts. Regular review mechanisms have also been introduced to monitor progress and address any issues affecting relief delivery.
Acknowledging that many flood-affected families have lost essential documents during the disaster, Kota instructed officials to adopt a flexible approach to verification. Authorities were asked to simplify documentation procedures and accept alternative methods of verification wherever original records have been destroyed.
The Chief Secretary also asked banks to actively engage with affected borrowers over the next two weeks and extend financial support through measures such as loan moratoriums, restructuring of existing loans, fresh credit facilities and consumption loans to help families meet immediate expenses.
Insurance companies were directed to set up dedicated helplines, coordinate closely with district administrations and financial institutions, and ensure faster settlement of claims.
The Assam government said the coordinated measures are aimed at ensuring relief, rehabilitation and livelihood restoration are carried out in a transparent, timely and compassionate manner, helping flood-hit families recover and rebuild their lives.