Dispur Releases Rs 19.93 Crore For Relief By Natural Calamities

GUWAHATI: In view of the approaching monsoon season and the resultant floods across the State, Dispur has released in advance the Gratuity Relief (GR) funds amounting to Rs 19.93 crore to 18 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and 10 Sub Divisional Officers (SDO-Civil). The remaining districts and sub-divisions already have deposits of sufficient GR funds from the last fiscal. The GR funds are utilized for relief of the people affected by natural calamities. Sources also informed that the government has also started the process for release of ex-gratia of four lakh rupees to the next of kin of each person who may have become victim of floods and other natural calamities including storm and lightning. As of now, the authorities concerned have been asked to pay the ex-gratia from the GR funds. Dispur would reimburse the amount in the GR fund accounts of the respective DCs and SDOs (C) subsequently.

As per data of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), altogether 31 people have so far died in storm and lightning incidents across the State. Of them, 11 died due to storm while 20 were victims of lightning. Though some areas of the State have already started feeling the brunt of the pre-monsoon rain and floods; there is, however, no loss of life till the filing of this report.

Official data indicate that among the 18 districts, the highest amount of GR fund amounting to Rs 3.50 crore has been released to Majuli; followed by Morigaon (Rs 2.60 crore), Lakhimpur (Rs 1.70 crore), Dhemaji and Golaghat (Rs 1.60 crore each), Biswanath (Rs 1.30 crore), Sonitpur (Rs 1 crore), Charaideo, Dibrugarh and Dima Hasao (Rs 50 lakh each), Tinsukia (Rs 40 lakh), Barpeta (Rs 30 lakh), Hailakandi and Kamrup-M (Rs 25 lakh each), Nalbari (Rs 20 lakh), Kokrajhar (Rs 15 lakh), Bongaigaon, Goalpara, (Rs 10 lakh each).

On the other hand, among the 10 sub-divisions, Kaliabor has received the highest amount of Rs 1 crore; followed by Bokakhat (Rs 80 lakh), Jonai (Rs 70 lakh), Bilasipara (Rs 30 lakh), Dhakuakhana (Rs 25 lakh), Nazira and Sadiya (Rs 10 lakh each), North Salmara and Bijni (Rs 5 lakh each), and Maibong (Rs 3 lakh).

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