Government Teachers Union raises Rs 31.20 lakh to rehabilitate flood victims

In response to the devastating floods caused by the release of water from dams in Punjab, the Government Teachers Union (GTU), Punjab has launched a relief initiative to support affected families.

The GTU has successfully raised Rs 31.20 lakh to aid the rehabilitation of flood victims. GTU State President Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, Public Secretary Gurwinder Singh Saskaur, Finance Secretary Amandeep Sharma and Press Secretary Karnail Singh Phillaur announced that the funds would assist vulnerable families, including students, mid-day meal workers, class four employees and other affected groups.

The campaign, which has received an overwhelming response from the teaching community, involves forming district-level committees to coordinate the relief efforts. Initial efforts are focused on the districts of Kapurthala, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Moga and Jalandhar. The relief initiative will expand to other districts in the coming days.

In addition to the fund collection, GTU, in collaboration with the Punjab and Sindh Finance (PASF) and Old Pension Restoration Struggle Committee, handed over cheques of Rs 50,000 each to two needy families in Mukerian.

GTU unit Mukerian President Rajan Mahajan shared that the affected families in village Bhangala and Kaulian 418 had their thatched roofs collapsed due to heavy rains. After assessing the situation, the team provided financial assistance to these families.

PASF President Manjit Singh, Old Pension Restoration Struggle Committee State Convener Jasvir Talwara, GTU General Secretary Satish Kumar, Varinder Vicky, Naresh Midda, and Shashikant were present at the event.

Chandigarh Transport Union extends support to needy

Volunteers from the Chandigarh Transport Union launched a relief effort in flood-affected villages Begampur and Nasirabad, distributing essential ration supplies to needy families.

The initiative saw the participation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state spokesperson and Phagwara constituency in-charge, Harnur Singh (Harji) Mann, who commended the union’s work and personally helped in distributing relief materials.

In his remarks, Mann praised the spirit of service displayed by Punjabis during the crisis, emphasising how people from all walks of life have come together to support the flood victims. He expressed confidence that Punjab would soon recover from the disaster and assured the public that the state government would provide compensation to the affected families.

He also urged residents to trust Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP government, assuring them that the administration would stand by the people during this difficult time.

On the same day, Jarnail Nangal, Chairman of the Phagwara Improvement Trust and AAP SC Wing Punjab’s Zonal In-charge, extended support to a Gujjar family in Cheheru village.

The family, led by Siraj Ali and his five daughters, lost their home and belongings when rising waters from the Beii submerged their hut, destroying food grains and cattle fodder.

Nangal, along with his team, provided dry ration and animal feed to the family. He assured that the Punjab government would ensure no flood-hit family faces a shortage and that relief efforts would continue until conditions stabilise.

Several village representatives and local leaders joined the relief distribution efforts, underscoring the community’s united response to the crisis.

130 ration kits distributed in Phagwara

Relief efforts in flood-hit areas of Phagwara continue to gain momentum, with the district administration ensuring timely assistance to stranded families.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal announced that essential supplies, including ration kits, are being distributed regularly to affected households.

Each ration kit contains flour, rice, pulses, oil and other daily-use items to provide immediate relief to families. On Sunday, under the supervision of Sultanpur Lodhi SDM Alka Kalia, 130 ration kits were handed over to affected residents.

Panchal also highlighted the administration’s efforts to support livestock in the region, with special teams deployed round-the-clock to provide fodder and veterinary care to cattle.

He reassured the public that all possible support is being delivered directly to people’s doorsteps. Residents in need can contact the district control room at 62800-49331 or 01822-231990 for assistance.