Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today launched a massive relief drive, distributing compensation to over 30,000 families whose homes were damaged in recent devastating floods across the state.
Speaking at a public gathering, the Chief Minister acknowledged the immense hardships faced by Punjab’s people due to the severe floods. Mann said the pain of affected families is beyond words. He shared that during his personal visits to flood-hit areas, he directly heard people’s suffering. The state government has assured flood victims that it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with every affected family during this difficult time.
The Chief Minister praised the tireless efforts of social and religious organizations and volunteers from Punjab and other states who provided selfless service during this disaster. Appreciating the fighting spirit of Punjabis, he said the state has once again demonstrated its remarkable ability to overcome adversity. Mann emphasized that it’s the government’s duty to stand firmly with its people in tough times, and his government will leave no stone unturned in helping flood-affected families.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government has already started paying ₹20,000 per acre as crop damage compensation to farmers affected by floods. He said this is the highest crop compensation ever given by any state government in the country. Additionally, the government has launched a comprehensive rehabilitation package for damaged homes, providing ₹1.20 lakh to families whose houses were completely destroyed. Mann revealed that out of approximately 30,000 damaged homes across the state, 8,056 are in Gurdaspur district alone.
The Chief Minister said that ₹377 crore is being distributed today to affected families so they can rebuild their homes. He further explained that the state government has already released ₹70,000 as the first installment to every eligible family, with the remaining amount being given in two additional installments to ensure smooth construction work. To provide extra support for reconstruction, Mann announced that damaged home rebuilding has been brought under MGNREGA, giving beneficiaries 90 days of employment to build their houses.
The Chief Minister clarified that this 90-day employment is separate from the ₹1.20 lakh grant given for each completely damaged home. He said this initiative ensures both financial aid and employment for affected families. Despite widespread flood damage, Punjab has once again fulfilled its responsibility as the nation’s food provider by contributing nearly 150 lakh tonnes of rice to the national pool. Mann noted that the state suffered losses of approximately ₹13,500 crore due to floods. He strongly reiterated his demand that the central government immediately release the publicly announced relief package of ₹1,600 crore.
The Punjab government’s initiative goes beyond just financial assistance—it’s a powerful example of a humanitarian approach. Providing relief to over 30,000 families simultaneously is a significant achievement in the state’s history. This historic step by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his government is being widely appreciated across the state. People recognize that during this time of crisis, the ‘Mann government’ has not only fulfilled its responsibility but has stood by them like a family member.
