Punjab slams Centre over flood relief, seeks Rs 20,000 cr as Mann sets Oct 15 for payouts

The Punjab Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution seeking a Rs 20,000-crore special package for flood-hit areas while rebuking the Centre for failing to sanction adequate relief, even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that compensation to affected families would begin from October 15.

Speaking in the Assembly during a debate on the unprecedented floods, Mann said teams of ministers would oversee the exercise to provide relief and lift the sombre mood of residents during the festival season. He added that the time-bound girdwari process was already underway across different parts of the state.

The Chief Minister said the state government had increased compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). For crop loss of 26-33 per cent, the amount had been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 per acre; for 33-75 per cent loss, from Rs 6,800 to Rs 10,000 per acre; and for 75-100 per cent loss, from Rs 6,800 to Rs 20,000 per acre.

Mann also announced Rs 7,200 per acre for de-silting sand from fields under the “Jisda Khet, Ohdi Ret” scheme. The state will pay Rs 1.20 lakh for a fully damaged house, while the compensation for partially damaged houses has been raised from Rs 6,500 to Rs 35,100. Farmers whose land has been eroded by rivers will get Rs 47,500 per hectare or Rs 18,800 per acre.

The House resolution sought a comprehensive special package of Rs 20,000 crore from the Centre to compensate farmers, rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihoods in flood-hit areas. It also demanded the immediate release of Rs 1,600-crore relief to Punjab.

In a sharp rebuke to the Centre, the House condemned the Union Government’s failure to sanction adequate relief and criticised the Prime Minister’s Office for not responding to Mann’s request for a meeting, calling it “an insult to the people of Punjab”. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister, urging immediate action.

Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet said, “It is still not late. We need to work on the security of farmers and the public in the future. Let’s get on the job immediately and prepare a roadmap for future action.”

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said, “We are already distributing 17-18 varieties of seeds for the next crop. More than 500 teams are also working on the ground to take care of cattle health.”

Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Ayali said, “First, we need to strengthen embankments of canals and other water bodies. A plan must be drawn up by an expert committee at the national level. The government should also ensure immediate supply of seeds and fertilisers for the next crop.”