Surat. The Surat district administration has distributed relief amount of Rs 1.5 crore to 2,500 families affected by the floods within two days. Survey work is going on in waterlogged areas. Also, insurance companies have been directed to expeditiously process compensation claims of traders who suffered losses in the recent heavy rains. District Collector Tejas Parmar said that survey teams were deployed immediately after the flood caused damage in many parts of Surat city. According to the administration, 50 survey teams are currently working in six talukas of the city to assess the loss and identify eligible beneficiaries. Parmar said, “Due to the floods in Surat city, there was damage due to waterlogging in many areas. Survey work was immediately started and the process of providing cash assistance and help for household items was started.”
He said that Rs 1.5 crore has already been provided to 2,500 families in the form of cash assistance and household items. The survey is still going on in all the affected areas and the families who have not received assistance yet will get assistance after the verification is completed.
The administration has also started efforts to address the economic loss suffered by businesses whose commercial establishments, shops and industrial sheds were hit by the floods.
Parmar said relief measures for traders were being considered and a meeting was held with representatives of insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed without any unnecessary delay.
“Insurance companies have been directed to accept and settle all eligible claims as quickly as possible, while also ensuring that claimants face minimal hassles during the process,” officials said.
To provide better coordination between insurance companies, industries and the business community, the district administration has appointed a nodal officer to help in settlement of claims.
Parmar also announced that an online complaint portal for traders and agencies would soon be launched. Complaints raised through the portal will be sent directly to the respective insurance companies for resolution.
The Collector also warned businesses against taking advantage of the post-flood situation by charging higher prices.
“The administration had received complaints that after the floods, some repair shops, including automobile and machinery repair workshops as well as grain shops, were charging higher prices than usual,” he said.
Parmar warned that strict legal action will be taken against any shopkeeper or person charging higher prices during the disaster.
“This is the time to help each other and not take advantage of people’s difficulties by charging higher prices,” he said.
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