Lack of embankment repair caused flooding in Punjab, says Union Minister

Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan here on Sunday said the Punjab floods were caused by lack of maintenance of earthen embankments, resulting in breaches and inundation of hundreds of villages.

He, along with former MLA Amarpal Singh Bony, visited flood-affected areas in Ajnala and Ramdass, where he interacted with farmers and residents.

"I can relate to the problems of Punjab farmers and residents as my Lok Sabha constituency also falls in floodplain areas," he said to farmers while adding that he would submit a report to the Prime Minister's Office in this connection.

He said the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was standing with Punjab during these difficult times.

Earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chauhan and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth had visited Ajnala. Prime Minister Modi had undertaken an aerial survey of the floods in Gurdaspur and Amritsar.

Paswan also enquired about the well-being of the villagers, met the flood victims and took stock of the relief work. He enquired from the local administration about the supply of relief material such as food items, medicines, clean drinking water, temporary accommodation etc. and the status of compensation for damaged houses and crops.

The Union Minister of State said that showing solidarity with Punjab, the central government has announced Rs 1,600 crore relief package which would speed up the initial relief work and help in the rehabilitation and infrastructure strengthening in the area.

The minister said there would be no shortage of funds and other resources while rebuilding the lives of the affected people.

He said the central government would also provide 50-days extra employment under MGNREGA. He said for those who have lost their houses, these would be constructed under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana.