Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has raised serious concerns over the low relief amounts provided to flood-affected families. During his visit to Ferozepur district, he highlighted that the current compensation norms set by the Union government are grossly inadequate to address the real losses faced by farmers, livestock owners, and vulnerable communities.
Mann, who traveled by boat to observe the flood-hit areas firsthand, pointed out that despite substantial funds available through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the existing guidelines fail to meet the scale of devastation caused by natural disasters. He emphasized that the norms are unrealistic, especially considering the soaring costs of agricultural inputs and the extensive damage to crops.
In Gatti Rajo Ki village, the Chief Minister saw the damage caused to crops that are nearing harvest. He demanded that farmers receive at least Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation, as the current support is far too little to cover their huge losses.
Mann also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to increase the ex-gratia amount for flood victims. Currently, families of those who died in floods get Rs 4 lakh, but Mann has requested it be doubled to Rs 8 lakh. Similarly, for those who suffer serious disabilities, the relief amount should be increased from Rs 74,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh for 40-60% disability, and to Rs 5 lakh for over 60% disability—up from the existing Rs 2.50 lakh.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly raised these issues with the Union government but feels that interstate cooperation could be better. After recent discussions with Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Mann expressed frustration over the restrictions and called for a more generous compensation approach.
Floods have impacted over 1,300 villages across Punjab, affecting millions of people. Heavy rainfall combined with dam water releases has led to widespread flooding across more than 10 districts. The situation remains serious, with fears that conditions may worsen in the coming days. Around three lakh acres of paddy fields, mostly just before harvest, are submerged, causing huge crop losses.
The floods have also caused significant livestock losses, hitting rural households that rely heavily on dairy farming and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Mann assured that the Punjab government is actively working on rescue and relief efforts, but he criticized the federal government for imposing riders that hinder effective aid.
Overall, the Punjab Chief Minister called for more proactive and compassionate support for flood victims, urging the Union government to relax norms and provide fair compensation. The ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for better disaster relief policies to help Punjab’s farmers, families, and communities recover from these devastating floods.
