Compensation cheques for crop damage and other losses will be in the hands of flood victims before Diwali: Dhaliwal
AMRITSAR: Today, to restore services at the Sub-Tehsil centre and the Primary Health Centre (Civil Hospital) in the historic town of Ramdas, which was badly hit by floods and buried under silt and debris, constituency MLA and former Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal personally joined in removing silt and cleaning, and also carried out mosquito fogging in the town.
While listening to the problems of flood-affected residents of Ramdas and nearby villages, Dhaliwal made it clear that villages, towns, and cities of Ajnala Tehsil and Gurdaspur district had to face the devastation caused by the Ravi river floods.
To investigate the causes of the floods and take disciplinary action against officials and employees found responsible, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken appropriate steps. Apart from natural calamity in the Ravi river, at the initial stage of the inquiry into the floods, the Punjab Government took major action by immediately suspending XEN Nitin Sood, SDO Arun Kumar, and JE Sachin Kumar, who were allegedly responsible for the failure of gates at Madhopur Headworks while releasing water into the Ravi.
He further expressed concern that due to the Punjab Government’s alleged adamant refusal in June to allow water release from Bhakra Dam into canals, when cloudbursts in the hills raised water to danger levels in the dam, BBMB’s Chairman released water, causing devastating floods in the Beas river, which led to heavy loss of life and property. But since BBMB and the Central Government control it, no disciplinary action is being taken against the officials who are directly or indirectly responsible, nor is the management being handed over to the Punjab Government, which is sheer authoritarianism.
Dhaliwal stated that in flood-affected tehsils including Sub-Tehsil Ramdas and Tehsil Ajnala, the process of e-registries has now formally begun.
He also said that the process of girdawari (crop loss assessment) for crops damaged more than 76% has been completed in 7 days. Within the next 7 days, assessments for crops with damage less than 76% will also be completed, and once verified by revenue officials, cheques for compensation of crops, damaged houses, and livestock lost in the floods will be given to affected farmers before Diwali.
He informed that in flood-affected areas of Ajnala constituency, AAP Clinics, civil dispensaries, primary health centres, and civil hospitals have been restored to provide health services, and fogging is being carried out in every affected village.
On this occasion, Khushpal Singh Dhaliwal, PA Mukhtar Singh Baladwal, office secretary Gurjant Singh Sohi, Chairman Baldev Singh Babbu Chetanpura, City President Harpal Singh, and others were present.