Did Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Seek a Special Flood Package from HM Amit Shah?
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Synopsis
In a significant meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a specialized flood relief package, highlighting the extensive damages caused by recent floods. With thousands displaced and massive agricultural losses, Mann's call for increased compensation underscores the urgent need for government support.
Key Takeaways
- Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met with HM Amit Shah to request flood relief.
- Over 2 million people affected by floods in Punjab.
- Initial relief package of Rs 1,600 crore deemed insufficient.
- Proposed compensation for farmers increased to Rs 50,000 per acre.
- Preliminary damage estimate at Rs 13,832 crore.
New Delhi, Sep 30 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday to request a special financial package for the state due to the extensive devastation inflicted by unprecedented floods.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Mann informed Minister Shah that the Rs 1,600 crore relief package announced by the Central government was grossly insufficient when weighed against the severe losses incurred by the state.
He urged for an increase in the compensation standards for flood victims from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Mann highlighted that Punjab has experienced one of its most catastrophic floods in recent history, impacting more than 2 million individuals across 2,614 villages, with 687,000 individuals displaced.
The Chief Minister stated that the disaster has wreaked havoc, obliterating over 480,000 acres of crops, damaging over 17,000 houses, affecting more than 250,000 livestock, and causing substantial damage to 4,657 km of rural roads, 485 bridges, 1,417 culverts, and 190 mandis.
The preliminary assessment of the total damage stands at Rs 13,832 crore, encompassing agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods.
Mann criticized the current SDRF and NDRF standards as woefully inadequate to meet the true extent of the damages, noting that the input subsidy for crop losses of 33 percent and above has been set at Rs 6,800 per acre by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He argued that such a meager amount would be unfair to farmers, especially since the crops were nearing harvest. Instead, he suggested that Rs 50,000 per acre should be allocated to the affected farmers.
Mann mentioned that he had previously raised this issue with the Union Home Ministry but received no response, prompting the state to increase compensation levels using the state budget.
In a compassionate gesture towards flood victims, the state government has decided to raise the compensation for 26 to 33 percent crop loss to Rs 10,000 per acre from the current Rs 2,000 per acre under SDRF norms, and for 33 to 75 percent crop loss, the compensation has been increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 6,800 per acre. For 75 to 100 percent crop loss, compensation will rise to Rs 20,000 per acre, up from Rs 6,800.
In the Rs 20,000 per acre compensation being provided to farmers, the state government will contribute Rs 14,900, the highest in the nation.
Additionally, Mann stated that the compensation for completely destroyed or severely damaged houses should be doubled from the current Rs 1.20 lakh per house in plain areas to Rs 2.40 lakh per house.
Furthermore, he proposed that for partially damaged houses (excluding huts), the compensation should be Rs 50,000 per house instead of the current Rs 6,500 for pucca houses and Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 4,000 for kutcha houses.
Addressing the pending share of Rs 11,297 crore regarding the Rural Development Fee and market fees, the Chief Minister stated that these funds are not being reimbursed to the state, despite clear provisions under Section 7 of the Punjab Rural Development Act, 1987 and Section 23 of the Punjab Agriculture Produce Marketing Act, 1961.
He explained that the purpose of this fund is to enhance agriculture and rural infrastructure, which contributes to the overall development of agriculture, including the rural road network, marketing infrastructure, storage facilities, land record computerization, and mechanization of mandis.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the devastating impact of natural disasters like floods on local communities. The Punjab government's proactive approach in seeking increased support from the central government is a commendable move to ensure timely relief for affected citizens. Collaboration between state and national authorities is essential to address the repercussions of such disasters effectively.
NationPress
30/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main request made by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to HM Amit Shah?
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann requested a special financial package from HM Amit Shah due to the extensive damage caused by recent floods.
How many people were affected by the floods in Punjab?
More than 2 million individuals were affected by the floods in Punjab, with approximately 687,000 displaced.
What compensation did Mann propose for farmers?
Mann proposed that farmers should receive Rs 50,000 per acre instead of the current subsidy of Rs 6,800 per acre for crop losses.
How much damage has been estimated due to the floods?
The preliminary estimate of losses from the floods stands at Rs 13,832 crore, affecting various sectors including agriculture and infrastructure.
What has Punjab done to enhance compensation for flood victims?
The Punjab government has increased compensation rates for crop losses and housing damages, providing significant support to flood victims.
