Is Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Seeking Rs 60,000 Crore from PM Modi Amid Flood Crisis?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Punjab is facing a dire flood crisis, prompting Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to urgently appeal to PM Modi for Rs 60,000 crore in aid. With thousands of villages and crops devastated, the state’s financial strain is worsened by inadequate compensation norms, leaving farmers in a precarious situation. Will the Centre respond to this pressing need?
Key Takeaways
- Punjab faces severe flooding affecting 1,000 villages.
- Three lakh acres of farmland are submerged.
- CM Mann requests Rs 60,000 crore in aid.
- Current compensation norms are inadequate.
- Farmers deserve more than Rs 17,000 per hectare.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (NationPress) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter, urgently requesting financial aid to manage one of the most severe flood disasters the state has encountered in decades. The floods, caused by intense monsoon rains and the release of water from dams, have devastated approximately 1,000 villages across seven districts: Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur, affecting lakhs of residents.
In his correspondence, Chief Minister Mann emphasized that nearly three lakh acres of farmland, predominantly paddy fields, are currently submerged, resulting in catastrophic crop losses right before the harvest season.
The severe flooding has also led to significant livestock fatalities, critically impacting rural families reliant on dairy and animal husbandry.
In his letter, Mann highlighted Punjab's financial challenges, noting a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to GST adjustments, reductions in the Rural Development Fund and Mandi Development Fund exceeding Rs 8,000 crore, and the recent cancellation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) projects valued at Rs 828 crore.
He has called on the Centre to promptly release Rs 60,000 crore in outstanding funds owed to Punjab.
Furthermore, Mann criticized the current compensation guidelines under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), labeling them as grossly inadequate and unrealistic.
He pointed out that the present input subsidy of Rs 17,000 per hectare (around Rs 6,800 per acre) is minimal compared to the actual losses faced by farmers.
“Offering such a trivial amount would be a cruel joke on farmers,” he stated.
The Punjab government, he noted, is already contributing an additional Rs 8,200 per acre, totaling Rs 15,000 in assistance.
Considering that the crops were nearing harvest, CM Mann has requested a compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre for affected farmers.
He urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the SDRF guidelines, assuring that the state government would continue to shoulder 25 percent of the compensation burden as required.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize Punjab's dire situation and the urgent plea from Chief Minister Mann. The ongoing flood crisis not only affects agriculture but also the livelihoods of countless families. While the state's financial challenges are significant, the Centre's response will be pivotal in mitigating this disaster and supporting affected communities. Our commitment remains towards ensuring that such urgent needs are addressed promptly and effectively.
NationPress
31/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the floods in Punjab?
The floods in Punjab were primarily caused by heavy monsoon rains and the release of water from dams.
How many villages have been affected by the floods?
Approximately 1,000 villages across seven districts have been impacted by the floods.
What financial assistance is Punjab CM seeking?
Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is seeking Rs 60,000 crore in financial support from the Centre to address the flood crisis.
What are the current compensation norms under SDRF?
The current compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is considered inadequate, with only Rs 17,000 per hectare being offered.
What does CM Mann propose regarding farmer compensation?
CM Mann has proposed a compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre for farmers affected by the floods.
