CM Mann writes to PM Modi seeking urgent aid: Calls Punjab floods state’s worst crisis

April 22, 2024 10:51 am

Published by: PreetiMahajan

The Fact News Service

Chandigarh, August 31

Punjab is reeling under one of the worst flood situations in recent history, causing widespread devastation and losses worth crores of rupees.

Amid the crisis, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate financial assistance. In his letter, Mann described this as a “difficult time for Punjab” and requested the Centre to release ₹60,000 crore of pending funds owed to the state.

The Chief Minister also sought amendments in the SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) norms, demanding that compensation for farmers be enhanced to ₹50,000 per acre for flood losses. He emphasized that the Punjab government is committed to providing this relief but needs the Centre’s approval and support.

So far, the floods have impacted over 1,000 villages and lakhs of people across Punjab. The worst-affected districts include Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur.

According to government estimates, nearly 3 lakh acres of farmland have been submerged, leading to the destruction of crops worth several thousand crores.