In a major relief push for flood-affected residents, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a series of financial measures, including a six-month moratorium on loan repayments across four severely impacted districts of Assam. Despite a gradual improvement in the flood situation, two more deaths were reported, taking this year’s flood toll to 80. Over 2.12 lakh people continue to remain affected in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts.
Addressing citizens via a social networking platform, Sarma said a special meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) was convened with participation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, State Bank of India (SBI), and other commercial banks to chart out relief measures for borrowers affected by the floods.
Following the meeting, the SLBC approved a six-month repayment holiday for loan holders in the four districts. The chief minister clarified that the benefit would apply only to those whose livelihoods or assets had been directly impacted by the floods. Banks will verify individual cases before granting relief, and unaffected borrowers have been urged to continue paying their equated monthly installments (EMIs) as scheduled.
Sarma further announced that loan tenures could be extended depending on the category, with repayment periods ranging from one year to seven years. Housing, education and vehicle loans will be eligible for an additional one-year repayment extension beyond the moratorium period.
For agricultural, crop and self-help group (SHG) loans, borrowers will be allowed repayment extensions of one to two years. Similar provisions will apply to loans taken for fisheries, poultry and other livestock-related activities. Loans under the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) category may be restructured with extended repayment periods of three to seven years, considering their higher debt exposure.
Highlighting the impact on small businesses, the chief minister said many retail shop owners had suffered complete losses due to flood damage. To support them, banks will provide an additional credit of ₹10,000 in existing loan accounts without requiring fresh collateral or mortgage.
In a separate measure, the state government will provide a one-time grant of Rs 1.5 lakh to each Namghar in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts to restore Vaishnavite prayer halls damaged by the floods.
According to the SLBC’s assessment, the four affected districts together account for around 3.18 lakh active loan accounts, with outstanding loans amounting to approximately Rs 11,400 crore.
Sarma also said the government would approach the RBI to explore similar relief measures for borrowers who have taken loans from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). A comprehensive damage assessment exercise covering homes, farmland, livestock, handlooms, schools and other assets is set to begin on August 7 to determine the final compensation package. Meanwhile, an interim assistance of Rs 15,000 per affected household has already been announced.
The chief minister noted that 45 damaged roads spanning nearly 100 km require urgent restoration. So far, 16 of these roads have been made fit for vehicular movement, with repair efforts ongoing.
With relief measures underway and waters receding gradually, the state government is focusing on accelerating recovery while ensuring financial stability for those affected by the floods.
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