Time to focus on rehab strategies in flood-hit areas
FLOOD-HIT Punjab and Himachal Pradesh need more than a soothing balm. For the lakhs of people who have been impacted, it means a clear roadmap for rehabilitation and sustained help in rebuilding lives. Punjab has been fortunate in how the community has rallied together — both in India and abroad, to offer help in whatever way possible. A much bigger task lies ahead — of ensuring institutional support. Despite carrying a tag of delayed and inadequate response, it is governments that an average citizen turns to in such trying times. So, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits disaster zones, expectations run high. Besides ex gratia, he has announced financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab. For Himachal, the figure stands at Rs 1,500 crore. Is it adequate?