Relief amount for flood-hit houses goes up

In line with updated guidelines, the state government has increased the relief amount for partially damaged homes to Rs 40,000. Previously, Rs 6,500 had been allocated to the owners of partially damaged houses based on patwari assessments, but this process has now been halted.

The administration’s relief efforts for flood-damaged houses in the district have hit a temporary pause as these revised compensation norms.

Instead of relying on patwaris, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) will now conduct individual house inspections, submit their reports with photographs via software and invite objections before finalising the compensation. For fully damaged homes, the relief amount remains unchanged at Rs 1.2 lakh.

Many local residents had criticised the initial relief package, arguing that Rs 6,500 was insufficient, even for minor repairs. Surjit Singh Tutt of Tutt Kalan village, Nakodar, whose house lost two rooms, received only Rs 6,500. “The compensation amount is too little. I don’t know how I’ll gather enough funds to rebuild my house,” Tutt said. Congress leader Dr Navjot Dahiya from Nakodar also raised concerns, highlighting the extent of the damage, particularly to houses with wooden roofs and collapsing walls. “I will fight for the rights of every affected family in my area,” Dahiya stated.

Nakodar Aam Aadmi Party MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann explained that while the assessment process is ongoing in her constituency, the number of beneficiaries in the 160 affected villages is still unclear. “The administration began distributing Rs 6,500 to those with partially damaged houses, but that has been stopped pending a reassessment based on the revised norms. Once the new assessment is complete, those who received Rs 6,500 will receive the remaining Rs 33,500,” Mann said. She added that around 1,200-1,500 acres of paddy fields in Nakodar were also damaged.

Nakodar suffered extensive damage due to the overflowing Chitti Bein, with sewage ponds in various villages flooding and causing water to enter homes. Many foundations have also been severely affected.

Jalandhar city, too, saw significant damage, particularly in the Abadpura locality, where five houses had roof collapses, leaving the owners with only Rs 6,500 in aid. Local Congress leader Satpal has called for an increase in the relief amount, stating that the current funds are too little for the affected families to begin reconstruction.