Surat: Following recent heavy rains and flooding in Surat, the Gujarat govt has accelerated the disbursal of rehabilitation assistance to affected residents, traders, street vendors, cart operators and cabin owners. As the process of paying cash dole and household assistance progresses, deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi convened a coordination meeting at the Surat circuit house on Wednesday to review relief distribution and rehabilitation work.In the presence of minister of state for health Praful Panseriya, Sanghavi also distributed claim settlement cheques to vehicle and property insurance policyholders from flood-affected areas. Officials said the move is aimed at speeding up insurance payouts alongside govt relief.Addressing the meeting, Sanghavi said the state govt and local administration have been working with full sensitivity to address difficulties and losses faced by citizens, during the flood situation that emerged after extremely heavy rainfall on July 6 and 7. He said municipal authorities, the district administration and the state govt stood with affected people as “Team Gujarat” and carried out immediate surveys to deliver assistance on a war footing.According to figures shared in the review, cash dole assistance totalling approximately Rs 5.50 crore has been paid to 61,360 citizens. Household assistance worth Rs 14.82 crore has been provided to 29,642 families, taking the total disbursed amount to around Rs 20 crore. The Surat Municipal Corporation has also undertaken necessary sanitation and public health measures in the aftermath of the floods.On insurance claims, authorities said processing has already begun for 85% out of the 5,287 claims received. Cheques were distributed after approval of claims worth Rs 29 crore.To prevent delay in claim settlement, the state has put in place a regular follow-up system and a review meeting will be held again within 15 days. Insurance companies showing slow progress have been instructed to expedite work within a week. The Surat district collector issued show-cause notices to seven insurers for unsatisfactory performance, with warnings of strict action if the pace does not improve.
