FEROZEPUR: Expressing grave concern over the meager compensation given to the people for losses due to the natural disasters, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday sought upward revision in the relief norms from the Government of India (GoI).
The Chief Minister, who toured the flood affected areas of Ferozepur district in a boat to take stock of the situation at the ground level, said that though substantial funds are available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) but the existing norms prescribed under the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs remain grossly inadequate to compensate farmers, livestock owners, and vulnerable communities for the scale of their losses. He said that the notified norms are totally unrealistic as compared to actual losses suffered by the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that per acre compensation to the farmers for their loss due to the natural disaster was too miniscule, in wake of the exorbitant hike in the prices of agriculture inputs borne by the farmers to raise the crop.
Aboard the boat with officers, the Chief Minister visited Gatti Rajo ki village and said that the floods have caused grave damage to the crops, which are almost at the harvesting stage, so at least Rs. 50, 000/- per acre should be paid to the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought his kind intervention to enhance Ex- Gratia payment for families of deceased persons to Rs 8 lakh from existing Rs 4 lakh. Likewise, he said that upward revision for Ex-Gratia payment for loss of limb or eye(s) has been sought from existing Rs. 74, 000/- per person, when the disability is between 40% and 60% to Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh per person, when the disability is more than 60% from existing Rs 2.50 lakh.
The Chief Minister said that he had time and again raised the issue of enhancing the relief amount to be disbursed amongst the farmers with the Union government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister had called him yesterday after which he had apprised them about the entire situation. He said that the state government is fully seized with the hardships of the flood victims and is extending a helping hand to them through rescue and relief measures.
However, the Chief Minister said that the riders imposed by the Union government are barring them from helping the victims of this natural tragedy which is unfortunate. He said that the Union government must adopt liberal approach for duly compensating the flood victims in this hour of crisis adding that he had already written a letter to the Prime Minister and urged him to release Rs 60, 000 crore that was stuck with the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the recent floods have impacted more than 1300 villages across the state and has affected lakhs of people.
The Chief Minister said that heavy monsoon rains, coupled with the release of waters from dams, have caused extensive flooding in more than 10 districts. He said that the situation is still evolving as there is a grave concern that conditions may further deteriorate in the coming days. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at present, about three lakh acres of farmland, primarily paddy fields have submerged under floodwater, leading to devastating crop losses just weeks before harvest.
In addition, the Chief Minister said that there has been a widespread loss of livestock, which is severely impacting rural households whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on dairy and animal husbandry. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is already making strenuous efforts to ensure relief and rescue work for the flood affected areas. He said that the top brass of the state government has been deployed by him in these areas to properly assess the loss suffered by the victims of this tragedy besides ensuring prompt relief to them.
The Chief Minister directed the district administration to meticulously evaluate the losses incurred by the residents of the villages so that they could be duly compensated for it. He said that the state government is making all out efforts to bail out the people in this hour of crisis and the state government is making every effort to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation of the people. Expressing concern over the huge loss incurred due to this natural tragedy, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this was the biggest loss of property and crops due to floods in recent history.
The Chief Minister said that he was himself supervising all the relief operations to ensure that no stone was left unturned in helping the people in these difficult times. He said that the Punjabis have been blessed with the indomitable spirit of overcoming such challenges bravely and with the efforts of the state government the people will get a major relief. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has made the country self-reliant in food production and it is high time that its legitimate right should be given to the state.