Assam waives July electricity bills for households using up to 300 units in flood-hit Sivasagar, Charaideo

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, August 1, announced that domestic electricity consumers in the flood-affected districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo who consumed up to 300 units of electricity in July will not have to pay their power bills, with the state government bearing the cost through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Addressing a Facebook Live session, Sarma said the relief measure is aimed at easing the financial burden on families affected by the recent floods.

He said smart meter consumers using up to 300 units will have their accounts recharged by the government, while the July bills of post-paid consumers within the same consumption limit will be paid from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Consumers who used more than 300 units will have to pay their electricity bills as per the applicable rules.

The chief minister also announced that Rs 15,000 will be transferred to the bank accounts of eligible flood-affected families from August 3. Around 55,000 beneficiaries in Sivasagar, 20,000 in Charaideo, 7,000 in Jorhat, and 3,000 in Golaghat are expected to receive the financial assistance.

As part of measures to help students return to school, the government will provide two sets of school uniforms and free notebooks to flood-affected students from Classes I to VIII in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. The state has sanctioned Rs 7.62 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the procurement of school uniforms.

Sarma further announced that land revenue (mati khajana) will be waived for the current financial year for residents of Sivasagar and Charaideo.

He also said families who remain displaced and are unable to return home will receive Rs 10,000 from August 10.

Schools in the flood-affected areas are scheduled to reopen on August 10. The government will also release grants between August 5 and 6 for the repair of damaged institutions, including Rs 1.5 lakh each for Namghars and Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh for Anganwadi centres, depending on the extent of the damage.

The chief minister said the flood situation has improved significantly, with the state's tributaries receding below the danger level, and assured that the government would continue rehabilitation efforts until normalcy is restored.