India News

Assam floods: Nearly 97,000 families receive Rs. 15,000 aid, more relief in pipeline

Assam has provided Rs. 15,000 each to 96,842 flood-affected families, while a detailed survey is underway to assess damage and determine further compensation.

Published

1 month ago

August 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Assam has provided one-time financial assistance of Rs. 15,000 each to 96,842 flood-affected families, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday as the state began a detailed assessment of damage caused by the floods.

Sarma announced the figures at a press conference at the Media Hall of Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur after financial assistance was released to another 31,991 families across four affected districts.

The state government has spent Rs. 146.26 crore on the assistance distributed so far. Sarma said the beneficiary list was still being prepared and around 3,000 additional families could receive assistance in the next phase.

“We want the affected families to have some cash in hand when they return home after the flood. This assistance is meant to help them settle back and meet their immediate needs,” Sarma said.

Assam begins detailed flood damage assessment

The state government has now shifted its focus to assessing the extent of the damage caused by the floods. A rapid survey is being conducted across affected areas with the assistance of 1,144 teachers.

Preliminary findings show that 26,681 houses and 18,887 cattle sheds have been damaged. Losses involving handloom-related raw materials have also been reported.

The assessment has so far covered around 5.98 lakh pets and domestic animals. Meanwhile, the survey of agricultural and fisheries losses is still underway.

Officials have identified 99,256 farmers who have suffered crop or other agriculture-related losses.

Sarma said the first phase of the survey is expected to be completed by August 28 or 29. The findings will subsequently be uploaded to a web portal, where affected residents will be able to check the information recorded against their names.

The portal will also allow people to raise objections if they have been excluded from the beneficiary list or if the damage recorded does not reflect their actual losses.

Second verification round planned in September

The government plans to begin a second round of verification around September 1 or 2. The process is expected to continue until September 10 or 11, with the revised list likely to be made public around September 15 or 16.

Sarma said unresolved complaints could lead to another field verification.

“If there is a complaint for the third consecutive time, we are ready to conduct a third survey. Our aim is to complete the survey and provide financial assistance by October 9 or 10,” he said.

If another verification round is not required, the government expects to complete the process by the end of September, he added.

The damage recorded on the assessment portal has so far been estimated at around Rs. 480 crore for houses and other properties. The figure, however, is expected to change as the survey progresses.

Rehabilitation plans for worst-hit areas

The Assam government is also considering longer-term rehabilitation measures for some of the worst-affected areas in Sivasagar and Charaideo.

Sarma said the state government had discussed the possibility of providing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to eligible families in the two districts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are trying not just to provide immediate relief but to give a strong and lasting solution to the affected people,” Sarma said.

Restoration work has begun at several damaged schools, roads, naamghars and health facilities. Health and veterinary teams are also continuing camps in flood-affected areas.

Ex-gratia, loan moratorium and insurance claims

The government is separately working on ex-gratia payments of Rs. 9 lakh to the next of kin of people who died in the floods, Sarma said.

On financial relief for borrowers, he said 1,712 affected people had so far applied for a moratorium on bank loans. Eligible borrowers have been asked to submit their applications by August 31.

“There are still many people who have not applied for the moratorium. I appeal to all affected people who are eligible to apply before August 31,” he said.

Insurance claims are also being processed. According to the Chief Minister, 1,598 claims have been received so far, of which 170 have already been settled and the payments released.

Sarma urged flood-affected people with insurance coverage to approach their respective insurance companies and submit claims for losses suffered during the floods.

The immediate priority, according to the Chief Minister, is to complete the damage assessment, give affected people an opportunity to challenge the findings and finish the compensation process for eligible families.

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Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

1 hour ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

8 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

21 hours ago

September 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.