Bhupinder Hooda Visits Flood-Hit Areas in Haryana for Second Day, Slams Government Over Relief Delays
In Rohtak, Haryana, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda stepped up his efforts on Sunday to support flood-affected people. This marked his second straight day visiting the worst-hit spots, where he chatted with locals about their struggles and urged officials to roll out relief fast.
Speaking to reporters, Hooda didn’t hold back on his criticism of the Haryana state government. He pointed out that the ongoing flood and waterlogging crisis has turned serious because of their mishandling. "People here desperately need quick help and fair compensation," Hooda said. "But instead of assessing the damage properly through a special girdawari, the government is pushing everyone towards some online portal once again."
Hooda highlighted how this portal system has become a big headache for years. "The government keeps dodging direct compensation by relying on these portals," he explained. "Because of this, a whopping 90% of disaster victims, including farmers, end up with nothing. Even those who do get something wait for months. That’s why the Congress party keeps pushing for direct financial aid straight to the farmers’ pockets."
To show solidarity, Hooda even hopped on a tractor with local farmers and drove through the flood-ravaged fields in Meham and Kalanaur constituencies. The sight was heartbreaking—entire crops stood ruined under water. "With all this waterlogging, there’s zero chance for the next harvest," he noted. "Farmers deserve at least Rs 60,000 to 70,000 per acre as compensation right away."
He didn’t stop there. Hooda called on the government to cover losses to homes, shops, and other structures too. Plus, he demanded that the Central government step in with a special relief package for flood-hit states like Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
Drawing from past experience, Hooda recalled a major flood back in 1995. "I personally brought then-Agriculture Minister Balram Jakhar to Haryana," he shared. "The Congress government at the time compensated farmers for everything—crops, farm sheds, tubewells, houses, and shops. But today? They use satellite images to slap cases on farmers for stubble burning, yet shove them to portals when it’s time for flood compensation." As a two-time Chief Minister and current Congress legislator, Hooda’s words carry weight in the ongoing Haryana flood relief debate.
