MoS assures aid to flood-hit victims

Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar today visited Kapurthala and reviewed the situation in the flood-affected areas.

He conducted a detailed review of the flood situation and relief measures in Kapurthala district, with special focus on Sultanpur Lodhi, along with senior officials. He emphasized that no grievance should go unheard and assured the affected families of full support, reiterating that the Government of India accords top priority to relief and recovery efforts in Punjab. During the visit, he visited several severely impacted areas, including Sultanpur Lodhi, Chak Patti, Baupur and assured people of the Centre’s continued support in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures.

Dr Chandra Sekhar expressed grief over the widespread crop losses and highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stands firmly with the people of Punjab. He said while a disaster relief fund of Rs 12,000 crore is already available for the state, an additional Rs 1,600 crore has also been sanctioned.

The Minister further said out of 455 telecom towers affected by floods, 99% had already been restored by September 10, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. The Department of Posts has been facilitating direct benefit transfers and money disbursal in affected regions.

As a medical professional, he also cautioned about post-flood health challenges such as diarrhoea and communicable diseases and emphasized urgent preventive steps. He highlighted the need to clear silt from fields for resuming agricultural activity.

The minister conveyed that the Centre is committed to standing by the people in this difficult time. “Prime Minister Modi wanted to ensure that Delhi will not sit idle when any state faces a crisis. Union Ministers are continuously visiting flood-hit areas to make sure that relief reaches every community,” he stated.