RMPI stages protest, seeks Rs 40,000 crore flood relief

The Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) on Friday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, demanding adequate relief and rehabilitation for Punjab’s flood victims.

A large number of workers, farmers, youth and party activists from across the district participated, waving party flags and shouting slogans against the Centre and state government.

The protest was led by RMPI state president Rattan Singh Randhawa and Jamhoori Kisan Sabha’s Punjab president Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala. They accused the authorities of “criminal negligence” in managing dams, allowing illegal mining and deforestation, which worsened the disaster. They also sought strict punishment for senior irrigation officials, particularly Chief Secretary C Krishan Kumar.

They urged the Central Government to release at least Rs 40,000 crore as interim relief, with the Punjab government making a substantial contribution to it.

The leaders also sought Rs 1 lakh relief per affected family, Rs 70,000 per acre for damaged crops, free seeds, fertiliser and diesel for wheat sowing, and either alternative land allotment or Rs 50 lakh per acre for land washed away by flood waters.

Other demands included Rs 10 lakh per house for reconstruction, waiver of all loans of flood victims, Rs 1 lakh for cattle, Rs 50,000 for mules/donkeys, Rs 20,000 for sheep/goats and Rs 25 lakh along with a government job for the next of kin of those killed in the floods. They also stressed on the need for canalisation of rivers to prevent future floods.

A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Punjab Chief Minister through the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner seeking urgent compensation. Additionally, a memorandum urging the state government to check hate campaigns and attacks against migrants was also submitted.