Assam Flood Relief: Centre Approves ₹5,000 Crore PMAY-G Housing Support For 3.8 Lakh Families

Centre Approves Major Housing and Agricultural Aid for Assam

The Government of India has approved housing assistance worth approximately ₹5,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for flood-affected families in Assam, following a meeting between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the national capital on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Union Minister formally handed over approval for the construction of 3.8 lakh new houses under PMAY-G. According to ANI, CM Sarma later told reporters that the approval covered 3,86,507 new houses. The exact figure varies between the two reports: one source states 3.8 lakh, while the other provides a more precise count of 3,86,507. The discrepancy, likely due to rounding, does not affect the overall scale of the initiative.

The Union Minister also assured that additional PMAY houses would be sanctioned once the survey of flood-damaged houses is completed and the list is submitted. He said, "Once the survey of flood-damaged houses is completed and the list is submitted, housing units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will be sanctioned for Assam."

Support for Tea Garden Workers and SHGs

The Centre has decided to extend PMAY benefits to eligible families of tea garden workers through a digital survey after they receive land pattas, a move aimed at expanding access to permanent housing among tea garden communities. This was reported by the Free Press Journal.

In addition to housing, the Union Minister announced financial assistance of ₹1.5 lakh per village organisation for local self-help groups. He said, "Furthermore, financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh per village organisation will be provided to the local self-help groups."

Agricultural Aid and Action Plans

The meeting also focused on the impact of floods on agriculture. Action plans worth ₹832.70 crore under the Agriculture Unnati Yojana and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) have been approved for flood-affected farmers, as reported by the Free Press Journal. Additionally, ₹33.36 crore has been approved for agricultural mechanisation, and ₹96.87 crore under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

CM Sarma noted that the Agriculture Minister had approved around ₹140 crore under RKVY and handed over the approval letter during the meeting. The Union Minister also handed over a sanction letter for ₹139 crore under RKVY, according to the Free Press Journal. The slight difference in the sanctioned amount (₹140 crore versus ₹139 crore) as reported by different sources may be due to rounding or the inclusion of additional components.

Chouhan also mentioned the need for additional seeds for vegetables and other produce, stating, "Crops have also been damaged, and there is a need for additional seeds for vegetables and other produce. Approval for this additional requirement will also be granted."

Ongoing Assessment and Future Sanctions

The survey period under PMAY-G has been extended by 15 days to ensure no eligible flood-affected family is left out, as reported by the Free Press Journal. A secondary assessment is underway to address flood damage, according to CM Sarma's remarks carried by ANI.

In a post on X, Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government stood with the people of Assam with complete sensitivity during the current crisis.

Reactions

Chief Minister Sarma expressed gratitude for what he called the Centre's prompt intervention. The Free Press Journal described the decisions as "swift" and "comprehensive," while ANI reported the minister's assurance of "full support" from the Centre. The tone across the two reports is uniformly positive, with no criticism or dissent expressed by either official.

The approval of housing assistance marks a significant step in the state's recovery efforts, though the full implementation will depend on the completion of surveys and submission of lists. Both reports indicate that the Centre is committed to providing further support as the assessment progresses.