Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1,600 crore assistance package for flood-affected Punjab after personally reviewing the situation and conducting an aerial survey of the worst-hit regions.
The state is facing its worst flooding since 1988, with at least 52 lives lost and nearly 1.91 lakh hectares of crops damaged.
Key Announcements
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Rs 1,600 crore to be released immediately for flood relief works.
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Ex gratia compensation:
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Rs 2 lakh each for families of the deceased.
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Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.
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Advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
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Support for orphaned children under the PM Cares for Children scheme.
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Special focus on farmers:
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Refurbishment support for borewells damaged or silted due to floods.
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Solar panel subsidies for diesel pump owners.
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Micro-irrigation support under ‘Per Drop More Crop’ guidelines.
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Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan
PM Modi outlined a multi-dimensional strategy for Punjab’s recovery, which includes:
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Rebuilding damaged homes under PM Awas Yojana (Gramin).
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Repairing national highways, schools, and other infrastructure.
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Providing mini kits for livestock.
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Constructing water recharge and harvesting structures under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari to ensure long-term water security.
Interaction with Affected Families
During his visit to Gurdaspur, one of the worst-affected districts, Modi personally met flood victims and assured them of Centre-State coordination to provide timely support.
“No citizen should feel that he does not have anyone to hold his hand. This is the time when people need the government the most, and the entire system should work with full sensitivity,”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, and senior state officials attended the review meeting. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was absent as he is currently hospitalised due to health issues.
Government Commitment
The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and state agencies for their quick response. He emphasised that the Union government will continue to assess damage with inter-ministerial teams and release additional assistance as needed.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and several farmers also highlighted the extensive damage to paddy crops during the meeting.
