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Punjab

Floods in Punjab, a man made calamity, political leadership to be blamed: Khaira

August 19, 2019 06:53 PM

CHANDIGARH: Sukhpal Singh Khaira Bholath MLA and president of Punjab Ekta Party(PEP) today blamed the political leadership for devastating floods in Punjab and  expressed deep sorrow over the sufferings of thousands of people in Punjab marooned by flood waters and loss of their property and cattle heads in large number.

In a statement issued here Khaira said that fresh floods in Satluj and Ravi rivers were a man made calamity and failure of present and previous government to tame the rivers and allowing land and mining mafias to grab the river beds and illegal mining. He said that Capt Amarinder Singh government and previous Parkash Singh Badal governments were main culprits for present situation.

Khaira said that it was illogical to claim that floods were caused by heavy rainfall. He said that natural course of rivers and rivulets were diverted by mining and land mafias over the years. He said that in the western countries many furious rivers exsit but timely management of water courses and resources prevent flooding of vast areas.

Khaira said that even after it was clear that state machinery was not prepared to face the grave situation and no flood prevention measures were in place. He added that people were forced to run for safety or spent nights on rooftops. It was only army which saved the situation to some extent.

Khaira said that thousands of acres of paddy, vegetables and other crops were totally damaged and cattle heads had either washed away or died. He demanded full compensation for the damage of crops at minimum of Rs.20000 per acre.  He said that Punjab government had fixed meagre rates from Rs.2000 to 6000 for partial damage and Rs.12000 for full damage of crops.

Khaira also demanded financial compensation for the damage caused to homes and community places in villages. He also appealed to people of rest of Punjab to extend helping hand to people marooned in floods.

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