Assam CM Offers Support to Families of Road Accident Victims
Support for Victims' Families
Guwahati, Dec 17: On Wednesday, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia to meet the families of the 20 individuals who tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month.
During his visit, Sarma provided cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the grieving families as ex-gratia support from the Assam Government, in addition to announcing that the families would receive an extra Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
“Today, we have given Rs 5 lakh to each family as a tribute to those who have passed away. The central government will also contribute Rs 2 lakh to each family,” stated the Chief Minister.
Sarma instructed the Tinsukia District Commissioner to ensure that all eligible families are enrolled in the Orunodoi Scheme if they have not been included yet.
He also directed officials to issue ration cards to families lacking them, allowing access to free rice and other essential goods at subsidized prices.
“I urge the district administration to expedite the Orunodoi coverage for families who have not yet received assistance. Those without ration cards must be issued one promptly to access government benefits,” he emphasized.
The Chief Minister reassured the families of ongoing support, including exploring job opportunities in collaboration with tea estate management and providing educational assistance for the affected children.
Addressing broader socio-economic issues, Sarma highlighted the necessity for industrial development and skill enhancement in Assam to mitigate distress migration.
“While skills are crucial, job availability is insufficient. Without large industries in Assam, smaller enterprises struggle to offer fair wages. When workers can earn Rs 200 here versus Rs 500 in cities like Bengaluru, they will naturally migrate. The answer lies in establishing industries in Assam and providing skill training in tea gardens,” he remarked.
In related news, Tinsukia Police, with help from Bihar Police, apprehended the truck owner involved in the accident in Bihar.
The suspect, identified as Bhushan Kumar, brings the total number of arrests in this case to three. Previously, police arrested two contractors, Sirajul Ahmed and Sairuddin Ali, who had employed the laborers for construction work.
The accident, which occurred on December 8, involved a truck carrying 21 laborers that fell into a 1000 ft gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, resulting in the deaths of twenty individuals.
The sole survivor, Budheswar Deep (23), is currently receiving treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. After surviving the crash, Deep managed to reach the nearest Chipra GREF camp, prompting police to initiate rescue operations.