Farmer bodies, party leaders term PM’s flood relief package as ‘meagre’

The financial assistance of a ‘meagre’ Rs 1,600 crore to flood-ravaged Punjab announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after an aerial survey of some of the flood-hit areas to review the damage caused by the devastating floods, has evoked a strong reaction from farmer organisation as well as Opposition parties.

“The BJP leaders are shedding crocodile tears as they failed to ensure appropriate relief package from the Central Government,” said Ratan Singh Randhawa, a prominent leader of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha.

“Thousands of acres of farmlands were submerged in the floods, completely destroying the crops. Houses were ravaged, a large number of cattle perished and it would take at least several months to prepare the land for cultivation again,” he said, while pointing out that Punjab needed a package of at least Rs 40,000 crore to be on its feet again.

While expressing his disappointment over the relief package of Rs 1,600 crore, the Member of Parliament from Amritsar, Gurjit Singh Aujla, flayed the ‘partiality’ towards Punjab.

“This is like a drop in the ocean,” he said, adding that Punjab was devastated by the worst-ever floods in past several decades. He termed the relief amount as ‘unfair’ and said that flood victims need more than just financial aid, they require proper rehabilitation and healthcare support.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ravinder Singh Brahmpura termed it a ‘great betrayal’. He said the PM’s visit was significantly delayed considering the massive devastation caused by the floods in Punjab. “It is deeply saddening that the Punjabi community, which has made great sacrifices for the unity, integrity and food security of the nation, is being neglected by the Central Government in its hour of crisis,” he said.

Apart from announcing a Rs 1,600 crore financial assistance for flood-hit Punjab, Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamity.