Guwahati: Assam government will provide free textbooks to students studying in government-run schools up to class X whose books have been damaged in floods.
State Education, Finance and Health minister, Dr Himanta Bishwa Sharma said it was for the first time such a step had been taken by the government for the flood-hit students.
To get the benefit, the affected students have been asked to submit their requirement of new books to respective heads of the schools by July 25 and the same will have to be forwarded to the district education authorities by the school by July 30. The new free textbooks would be available for the students by August-end.
“There is absolutely no dearth of funds. We had provided relief money to the district deputy commissioners before the floods this year and we can provide money as sought by them,” the minister said
The minister said funds for flood relief were left unspent last year and Rs 300-400 crore was still lying in the state coffers, meant for this year’s relief. He, however, warned that anyone found misappropriating relief funds or materials will be dealt with strictly.
Dr Sharma all deputy commissioners had been instructed to conduct extensive medical camps in the affected areas once the flood water starts receding
Providing clean drinking water and fodder for cattle and domestic animals had also been ordered to the district authorities, he added.
Further, all relevant departments have been asked to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure and submit their financial estimate by August 15 next, so that funds can be released and repair work can commence by September-October, the minister said.
At least 52 people have lost their lives and over 25 lakh people in 29 districts of the state have been affected in the current wave of flood so far.
