The Assam government has announced that Aadhaar linking will be mandatory for all beneficiaries seeking flood resettlement assistance, a significant step aimed at enhancing transparency and preventing duplicate claims. This decision comes after discrepancies were identified in the bank account details collected during the initial damage assessment surveys.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta confirmed the new requirement on Friday, speaking at a training programme held at the Convention Centre in Chinamora, Jorhat. The minister emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring that aid reaches only genuine beneficiaries.
The training session, attended by senior government officials and district-level officers, focused on the Rapid Damage Assessment Survey, which will be conducted through a dedicated mobile application. This technological approach is expected to streamline the assessment process and improve data accuracy for the upcoming resettlement phase.
Minister Mahanta informed participants that the initial phase of relief and rehabilitation efforts has been completed. The administration is now preparing to commence the crucial resettlement of flood-affected families, with a particular focus on the four worst-affected districts: Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, and Charaideo. The training was organised to ensure a uniform procedure among all officials, enabling them to operate in a 'mission mode' to provide efficient and targeted support to those impacted by the floods, with mandatory Aadhaar linkage serving as a critical safeguard against potential misuse.
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