Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state govt was monitoring 72 YouTubers and social media influencers from Assam and other states who raised funds for flood relief in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.He said the exercise aims to verify whether the contributions collected by these content creators actually reached the affected families in the flood-hit districts.Sarma said officials were checking if the funds were properly distributed among flood-affected families, particularly in Sivasagar and Charaideo, and whether relief materials reached the right areas. He said many YouTubers had already contributed to relief efforts and that govt wanted to recognise those who made genuine contributions.“The fundraising was not confined to content creators from Assam. Individuals and YouTubers from other parts of the country also raised money for flood relief in the state. The government is seeking details of the assistance provided, including the amount spent, areas covered, and beneficiaries reached. Some contributions announced during the relief operations included Rs 2 crore and Rs 50 lakh,” Sarma said.He appreciated Assam-based YouTuber Samay Gogoi and others for their genuine efforts to help flood-affected people. YouTubers such as Hussain Mansuri and organisations including Global Sikh, with which actor Randeep Hooda was associated, were among those from outside Assam who provided relief to flood-hit families in the three districts.Sarma said the verification exercise would help authorities ensure that aid was evenly distributed and prevent duplication of assistance, where some families receive multiple relief packages while others get none.He clarified that govt’s monitoring was not meant to discourage voluntary efforts. “This will also help the government recognise those who genuinely contributed during the floods. Those who used the funds properly and provided meaningful support will be identified for recognition. The list could include YouTubers, influencers, NGOs, and other organisations involved in relief work,” he said.CM added that govt may honour such contributors with a gamosa and a certificate or award in appreciation of their efforts.The ravaging floods that struck Sivasagar, Jorhat and Charaideo on July 19 left lakhs of people marooned, wiping out villages and claiming human lives and livestock.Following the disaster, social organisations, NGOs, YouTubers, influencers, associations and individuals from across Assam and other parts of India — including Delhi and Punjab — rushed to the affected districts with relief materials such as food, medicines, drinking water and clothes.
