Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 12 said the state government would verify funds raised by 72 YouTubers from Assam and outside the state for flood relief and ascertain whether the money reached the state and how it was utilised.
Sarma said the government appreciated the efforts of content creators and individuals who had stepped forward to assist flood-affected people, but stressed the need for proper accounting of the funds to prevent duplication of relief activities.
“Seventy-two YouTubers have raised funds from outside the state. We are looking into whether the funds have reached the state or not,” the chief minister said.
He particularly acknowledged the efforts of Assam-based YouTuber and grassroots relief worker Samay Gogoi, saying, “Samay Gogoi has done a good job.” Sarma added that several other individuals had also begun contributing to flood relief.
The chief minister said those who had raised funds would be asked to provide details of how and where the money was spent. He said the exercise was necessary to ensure that different relief initiatives did not duplicate one another.
Sarma also said the government would recognise the contributions of YouTubers and others involved in relief operations and honour them with traditional gamosas, but maintained that their accounts would first be verified. He added that the Assam Police Cyber Cell was monitoring accounts associated with the fundraising activities.
Gogoi has gained recognition for his grassroots relief efforts during the floods, using his own savings and mobilising resources to provide food, drinking water and medicines to residents of isolated villages.
He has also been involved in rescuing stranded animals and rebuilding damaged homes through his initiative, Project Golden Assam.
The chief minister’s remarks came as social media creators, individuals and voluntary organisations from Assam and other parts of the country stepped up fundraising and relief operations amid the severe flooding in the state.
The government is seeking greater transparency in privately raised relief funds while coordinating different relief initiatives to ensure that assistance reaches affected communities without duplication.
