Daijiworld Media Network - Surat
Surat, Jul 10: The Gujarat government has begun distributing financial relief to thousands of families affected by the recent floods in Surat, with more than 2,500 households receiving assistance after extensive damage assessment surveys were carried out in the city.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday handed over relief assistance of Rs 6,800 per family to residents of Ambedkar Nagar, Azad Nagar, Indira Nagar and Rasulabad in the Bhatar area, one of the localities worst affected by heavy rainfall and flooding.
The relief package includes direct financial assistance along with support for replacing essential household items and clothing damaged during the floods.
The distribution followed large-scale relief operations undertaken by the district administration after floodwaters receded. Officials carried out door-to-door surveys to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure timely disbursal of aid. The exercise was conducted in the presence of District Collector Tejas Parmar and Surat Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan.
While interacting with residents, Sanghavi appealed to people in the affected areas to maintain hygiene and extend full cooperation to officials conducting household surveys.
He assured citizens that every eligible family would receive government assistance, stating that no flood-affected household would be left out of the relief process.
The Deputy Chief Minister also praised the resilience displayed by Surat residents during the crisis, saying the city had once again shown unity and determination in overcoming the challenges posed by the floods.
He expressed confidence that the financial support would help families recover from losses suffered to their homes, household belongings, businesses and sources of livelihood.
"The government will continue to stand with every flood-affected family not only by providing immediate financial assistance but also throughout the rehabilitation process until normalcy is restored," Sanghavi said.
Following the heavy rainfall, District Collector Tejas Parmar instructed officials to immediately begin damage assessments across the affected areas. Under the supervision of South Sub-Divisional Magistrate V.J. Bhandari, survey teams visited households in the Majura area and initiated the distribution of relief.
According to the district administration, the assistance package includes support for damaged household articles as well as daily wage compensation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Officials said that more than 2,500 families across Surat city have so far received financial assistance as part of the ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation programme.