Gautam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5,000 for each of the affected families affected by the fire at Ranabusty and Khudiram Colony, two adjoining localities in ward 18, on Saturday evening.

“We are providing assistance from the mayor’s relief fund. We will also talk with officials of the state departments concerned and the heads of different educational institutions to facilitate the distribution of documents and identity proofs which these families have lost in the blaze,” said Deb, after visiting the affected areas on Monday.

The fire-hit residents, including school students and examinees of upcoming Madhyamik and higher secondary board exams, had expressed concern that they could not save important documents and textbooks.

Teachers of some of the schools where they study have assured every help at their end. In all, 31 houses and hutments were completely gutted in the fire and a few others were partially damaged. Around 300 people are staying in a nearby community hall now. The Left councillors, who visited the affected areas, said the civic body should take up the responsibility to rehabilitate these families.

“The SMC should take up the task to build homes for each of these families.... The work should be taken up on an emergency basis,” said Joy Chakraborty, a Left councillor.

Mayor Deb, who reached Siliguri from Calcutta on Monday, said he sent a report to chief minister Mamata Banerjee on the incident.

“I have also spoken with the district magistrate and will hold a meeting at the civic body on Tuesday where we can chalk out a rehabilitation programme for the affected families,” he said.