Bandhan Bank donates ₹1 Crore to Assam CM Relief Fund
Synopsis
Bandhan Bank MD and CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta handed over a ₹1 Crore cheque to Assam's Chief Minister's Relief Fund on August 12, 2026. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the contribution, which is directed at ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the state.
Key Takeaways
Bandhan Bank MD and CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta donated ₹1 Crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Assam .
The handover took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 .
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude for the contribution.
The funds are directed toward ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Assam.
Bandhan Bank has significant operational presence in Assam , with roots in eastern India microfinance.
A cheque worth ₹1 Crore changed hands in Guwahati on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — Bandhan Bank MD and CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta personally handing it over to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Assam, as the state presses forward with relief and rehabilitation work.
The Chief Minister's Office of Assam confirmed the contribution, with Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma expressing gratitude for what his office called a 'generous contribution towards ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.'
Bandhan Bank's Assam roots and the CSR gesture
Bandhan Bank traces its origins to a microfinance institution with deep operational roots in eastern India, including Assam. As a private sector scheduled commercial bank, it has maintained a significant presence in the state. Corporate contributions to Chief Minister relief funds are a recognised channel of CSR activity across Indian states, particularly during periods of flooding or natural calamity.
What the Chief Minister's Relief Fund does
The Chief Minister's Relief Fund is a state-managed pool used for immediate disaster assistance and longer-term rehabilitation in Assam. The fund is activated during floods, cyclones, and other emergencies — a recurring reality in a state that faces annual monsoon flooding across its river plains. How the ₹1 Crore contribution will be allocated to specific relief projects has not yet been detailed publicly.
Corporate donations of this kind add to the fund's capacity to respond quickly, bridging the gap between state budgetary allocations and on-the-ground needs during active relief operations.
Point of View
If modest, pillar of disaster-response financing in India — and Bandhan Bank's ₹1 Crore gesture fits neatly into that pattern. For CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, publicly acknowledging such donations signals both the scale of ongoing relief needs and the state government's effort to mobilise resources beyond the exchequer. Bandhan Bank's participation is notable given its microfinance origins and grassroots presence in Assam — communities the fund is designed to serve. The broader question is whether such contributions scale up in proportion to the state's recurring flood burden, or remain largely symbolic gestures in the CSR calendar.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bandhan Bank donate to the Assam Chief Minister's Relief Fund?
Bandhan Bank MD and CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta handed over ₹1 Crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Assam on August 12, 2026, as a CSR contribution toward ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the state.
What is the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in Assam?
The Chief Minister's Relief Fund is a state-managed fund used to provide immediate assistance to disaster-affected residents and to support rehabilitation work, particularly during flooding and other emergencies in Assam.
Who is Partha Pratim Sengupta?
Partha Pratim Sengupta is the Managing Director and CEO of Bandhan Bank, a private sector scheduled commercial bank with origins in microfinance and a significant presence in eastern India including Assam.
How much did Bandhan Bank donate to Assam's relief fund?
Bandhan Bank donated ₹1 Crore to the Assam Chief Minister's Relief Fund, with the cheque handed over in person by MD and CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta on August 12, 2026.
What did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about the Bandhan Bank donation?
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude for the contribution, describing it as a 'generous contribution towards ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts' in Assam.
