Punjab Government Releases First Instalment of Rs 3.50 Crore for Flood Victims of Sangrur District

Punjab Government Keeps Promise: The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has fulfilled its promise to provide compensation/relief to flood victims before Diwali (within 30 days) and has released the first instalment of Rs 209 Crore for the state. Of this, Rs 3.50 Crore will be distributed to flood victims in Sangrur district. Today, Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched the compensation distribution by handing over acceptance letters to eight flood-affected families in the Dhuri constituency.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's Mission Rehabilitation

Speaking on the occasion, he said that today, 13 cabinet ministers across Punjab are visiting flood-affected areas to distribute relief funds under Mission Rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched Mission Rehabilitation by distributing cheques worth Rs 5.70 crore to 631 farmers in Ajnala. He said that for the first time in the country, farmers have been given compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre. The Punjab government stands with the people in every happiness and sorrow.

Each affected family to be given relief 

He said that due to heavy rains and floods, crops were damaged extensively across the state. Many people's houses and other buildings collapsed. Each affected family will be given relief after assessing the damage. For the first time, each damaged house will receive Rs 40,000, up from only Rs 4,000 previously. Farmers will receive Rs 20,000 per acre for crop loss.

Central government discriminates Punjab

He said that Punjab and Punjabis have always stood with the victims of natural disasters. However, the central government discriminates Punjab and Punjabis in every sector. He demanded that the central government release the Rs 1,600 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab as soon as possible. He clarified that the Rs 240 crore released by the central government is part of the annual installment.

Punjab govt fought the floods with full force

Cheema claimed that the Punjab government, with the cooperation of the people, fought the floods with full force. Had rescue and relief operations not been initiated in time, the damage would have been much greater. Praising the Sangrur district administration, he said that the embankment usually breaches when the Ghaggar River reaches 747 feet of water, but this time, despite the water level reaching 755 feet, the situation remained under control.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Chaba briefed the efforts made to deal with the floods in Sangrur district and thanked the Punjab government for releasing the compensation amount. He said that advance arrangements were made to deal with the emergency in accordance with the Punjab government's instructions. Despite heavy rains, not a single embankment was breached in the 41-km stretch of the Ghaggar River passing through Sangrur district.

Prominent leaders present at the occasion

Punjab State Food Commission member Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Bambi, SDM Rishabh Bansal, Dhuri Market Committee Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghuli, Anwar Bhasaur, Soni Mandar and a large number of people were present on the occasion.