Assam Floods: Rs 123-crore flood compensation at one go

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: On August 20, the Assam Government will release around Rs 123-crore compensation package for people whose houses were completely or partially damaged in the floods that ravaged the State this year. The compensation amount will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the victims on that day. This was one of the key decisions taken during the meeting of the Assam Cabinet held today.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said, "After proper verification it has been found that around 5,532 houses were fully destroyed or severely damaged in the floods. For every such house in the hill areas, Rs 1.01 lakh will be given to the family while in the plain areas, Rs 95,000 will be given. The government will be spending Rs 53 crore for this."

A total of 35,635 pucca houses were partially damaged. Each family will get Rs 5,200 while every family whose kutcha house was partially damaged will get Rs 3,200. There are 1.51 lakh partially damaged kutcha houses. A total of 3,016 huts have been destroyed and each family will get Rs 4,100.

The Cabinet today approved the Assam Logistic Policy, 2022 to usher in industrial development in the State. "The government wants to provide a state-of-the-art infrastructure for companies and industrialists who are keen to invest in our State," said Baruah.

The Cabinet inserted a new rule in the Assam Motor Vehicle Rules, 2003. Under this rule, the authorities concerned have been empowered to auction seized, impounded and detained vehicles which have not been released by their respective owners after elapsing of 90 days since the date of seizure.

The Cabinet also eased some pension rules. Often when the pensioner dies, there is confusion over who will get the pension. The pensioner may have unmarried daughters, minor children or divyang children. The Cabinet decided that in such cases, the pension will be distributed among all eligible children of the pensioner.

Bringing in some changes in excise rules, the Cabinet has empowered the Deputy Commissioners to convert online liquor shops (bars) in rural areas to offline liquor shops within 45 days. "This has been done because it is been observed that the social environment in rural areas has been affected due to the opening of bars," said Baruah.

The Cabinet amended the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority Act, 1985 today. It was decided to set up a unified metro transport authority which would form and implement all transport-related regulations within Guwahati city.

There are two categories of Assistant Block Development Officers (BDOs) in the panchayat areas – Panchayat and Women & Children. They are eligible for promotion after 15 years of service but today the Cabinet revised it to 13 years.

The Cabinet also decided to give a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each of the families of the 19 people from Assam who died in the recent landslide in Manipur and the family of the one person who is still missing. In addition, the government will give Rs 25,00 to each of the five persons who were injured in the landslide.

Also Read:   Assam government to submit flood memo to Centre by October

Also Watch: