Surat Flood Relief: Gujarat Announces Rs.1 Lakh Aid for Traders

SURAT : The Gujarat government has announced a special relief package for thousands of traders and small business owners who suffered heavy losses during the devastating floods that hit Surat on July 6. The package offers direct financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh, along with subsidised business loans of up to ₹30 lakh, to help affected traders rebuild their businesses.

The unprecedented rainfall had submerged several shopping complexes, markets and commercial establishments across Surat. Floodwaters damaged goods worth lakhs of rupees, leaving many traders struggling to recover.

To provide immediate support, the state cabinet approved financial assistance for uninsured traders based on the extent of their losses.

Under the package, lorry and rickshaw operators affected by the floods will receive ₹7,500. Owners of small cabins measuring up to 40 square feet will receive ₹25,000, while those with cabins larger than 40 square feet will be given ₹50,000.

Traders operating from permanent shops will receive financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh. However, beneficiaries must have filed their GST returns during the last three months to qualify for the relief.

In addition to direct aid, the government has introduced a special loan assistance scheme aimed at helping businesses restart operations quickly.

Under the scheme, the state government will bear 7% interest on business loans for three years.

Traders with an annual GST turnover of up to ₹7 lakh can avail loans of up to ₹20 lakh, along with interest assistance of up to ₹5 lakh. Those with turnover up to ₹7.5 lakh will be eligible for loans up to ₹25 lakh with interest support of ₹8 lakh. Businesses with turnover above ₹7.5 lakh can receive loans up to ₹30 lakh and interest assistance of up to ₹10 lakh.

Officials said the relief package is intended to help businesses resume operations quickly while protecting livelihoods.

The government has also accelerated assistance for affected families. More than 19,000 citizens have already received cash and household assistance under the emergency relief programme.

Authorities said relief has been extended even to residents living on upper floors who escaped flooding but lost income because they could not work after the disaster.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the administration also launched door-to-door health check-ups, medical camps and intensive sanitation drives. More than 9,000 sanitation workers have been deployed over the past week to restore normalcy and prevent disease outbreaks in the flood-affected city.