Punjab Government Fulfills Promise, Releases ₹3.50 Crore Compensation for Flood Victims in Sangrur District

Fulfilling its commitment to provide relief to flood-affected families before Diwali, the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has released the first installment of ₹209 crore in compensation within just 30 days. Of this, ₹3.50 crore has been allocated to flood victims in the Sangrur district. Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Harpal Singh Cheema formally launched the compensation distribution drive in Dhuri by handing approval letters to eight affected families.

Speaking on the occasion, Cheema said that as part of the Mission Punervas (Mission Rehabilitation), 13 cabinet ministers across Punjab are visiting flood-hit areas today to distribute relief funds. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had earlier launched the mission in Ajnala, where he distributed cheques worth ₹5.70 crore to 631 farmers. Cheema highlighted that for the first time in India, farmers are being compensated at the rate of ₹20,000 per acre-an unprecedented initiative by the Punjab government, which stands firmly with its people in every hardship.

He noted that the heavy rains and floods had caused widespread crop destruction and structural damage across the state, with many homes and buildings collapsing. Each affected family will receive compensation based on damage assessment. For the first time, compensation for damaged homes has been raised to ₹40,000, up from the earlier ₹4,000. Farmers suffering crop losses will receive ₹20,000 per acre as relief.

Reaffirming the state's commitment to its citizens, Cheema said that Punjabis have always stood with victims of natural calamities. However, he criticized the Central government for continuing to discriminate against Punjab in every sphere. He urged the Centre to promptly release the ₹1,600 crore assistance announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state, clarifying that the ₹240 crore already received was merely part of an annual installment.

Cheema emphasized that the Punjab government fought the floods with full strength and the cooperation of the people. Had timely rescue and relief operations not been initiated, the damages would have been far greater. Commending the Sangrur district administration, he pointed out that even though the water level in the Ghaggar River rose to 755 feet-above the usual danger mark of 747 feet-the embankments held strong due to preventive efforts and close monitoring.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Chaba briefed about the measures taken in Sangrur to manage the floods and thanked the Punjab government for swiftly releasing compensation funds. He said that in line with state directives, advance arrangements were made to tackle the emergency. Despite heavy rainfall, no embankments were breached along the 41-kilometer stretch of the Ghaggar River passing through Sangrur.

The event was attended by Punjab State Food Commission member Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Bambi, SDM Rishabh Bansal, Dhuri Market Committee Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghuli, Anwar Bhasaur, Soni Mandar, and several local residents.