Is PM Modi Visiting Himachal and Punjab to Review the Flood Situation?

Chandigarh/Shimla, Sep 8 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on Tuesday to assess the flood situation in both states. As per BJP sources, he will conduct an aerial survey of areas affected by floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh.

His arrival in Kangra at approximately 1:30 p.m. will mark the beginning of his visit, where he will convene a high-level meeting with officials to review the situation. The Prime Minister will also engage with individuals impacted by the floods and teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and Aapda Mitra.

Following this, around 3 p.m., Modi will carry out an aerial assessment of the flood-affected regions in Punjab.

Upon reaching Gurdaspur around 4:15 p.m., he will hold discussions with senior officials and lead a review meeting focused on the ground realities, as stated by the BJP.

Additionally, he plans to interact with flood-affected residents and central disaster management agencies in Gurdaspur.

This direct review by the Prime Minister aims to ensure effective monitoring of relief and rehabilitation efforts to assist the residents of both states during this challenging period, according to party officials.

In anticipation of the Prime Minister’s arrival, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Aman Arora has requested a relief package of Rs 20,000 crore, arguing that “simple flood tourism” will not address the pressing needs of the state, which has already been exploited for photo opportunities by local BJP leaders and Union Ministers.

Arora stated: “On behalf of over 3 crore citizens of Punjab, I extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Modi as he visits the flood-affected areas of Punjab. However, I urge him to avoid turning this crisis into mere flood tourism for photo ops. If he genuinely cares for Punjab as an integral part of India, he must bring a Rs 20,000 crore package.”

He has also called for the immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore in stalled funds, which comprises Rs 50,000 crore in revenue losses from implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Rs 8,000 crore in withheld Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Development Fund (MDF) over the past three and a half years.

Moreover, he emphasized that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already written to the central government requesting the release of these stalled funds.

Arora also demanded an increase in flood compensation, citing that over 4.5 lakh acres of farmland have been submerged, more than 3 lakh livestock have been affected, and hundreds of houses have suffered damage due to the flooding.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, has reviewed the preparations surrounding the Prime Minister’s visit.

In an informal chat with the media in Dharamsala, BJP leader Thakur expressed gratitude to Modi for visiting the state and inspecting areas impacted by the disaster.

“On behalf of the entire Himachal Pradesh, we appreciate the Prime Minister for standing with us during this crisis and sharing our grief,” he remarked.

Former Chief Minister Thakur stated he will inform the Prime Minister about the damages to both public and private properties to secure maximum financial assistance for the state.

He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for deploying central agencies, including the NDRF, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force, for the ongoing relief and rescue operations.

Thakur mentioned that this disaster has left “irreparable wounds.”