CM Mann breaks down on hearing victim’s ordeal

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday broke down after hearing the plight of a flood-hit elderly woman during his visit to a locality here.

Mann comforted the woman, Manjit Kaur of Basti Ram Lal, after she narrated her ordeal. Though Mann did not announce anything on the spot, he asked them to keep trust in him, claiming that he was mindful of their issues and all possible would be done.

Expressing concern over the “meagre” compensation given to people for losses due to natural disasters, Mann sought revision in the relief norms by the Centre.

After conducting a tour of flood-affected areas in an Army boat, Mann said though substantial funds were available in the State Disaster Response Fund, the existing norms prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs remained grossly inadequate to compensate farmers, livestock owners and vulnerable communities. Mann said the norms were “totally unrealistic” when compared with losses suffered by farmers.