Chandigarh, August 28, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
Setting aside a total of Rs. 475.56 crore for the flood-hit districts of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered the concerned officials to prepare comprehensive rehabilitation plans for the ravaged areas, including the works needed to be carried out post the relief operations.
While Rs. 242.33 crore is being used for the immediate infrastructure works/relief operations, another Rs. 233.23 crore will be provided in the short and long term, after proper damage assessment and planning, said an official spokesperson.
Reviewing the flood situation, Captain Amarinder asked the Chief Secretary, who is heading the disaster management group, to ensure prompt execution of post flood infrastructure works to address the damage caused to the public installations.
He also emphasised the need for constant monitoring of the post-flood operations to ensure time-bound action on such plans as may be prepared for the affected districts.
The Chief Minister has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to prepare rehabilitation plans and ensure supply of food, drinking water, shelter and medicines to all the affected people till so required. He also asked the Animal Husbandry department to provide the necessary fodder and medicines for the livestock in the affected areas on priority.
The review meeting was informed that of the total Rs.475.56 crore set aside for the execution of flood relief/infrastructure works, a sum of Rs.68.75 crore would be spent on restoration works in Rupnagar district, Rs.91.38 crore in Moga, Rs.119.85 crore in Jalandhar, Rs.189.62 crore in Kapurthala, Rs.54 lakh in Fazilka and Rs.5.42 crore in Ferozepur.
Captain Amarinder Singh asked the Additional Chief Secretary (Development) to ensure that the agricultural land affected by floods is reclaimed and restored for sowing of the next crop well in advance. He assured necessary assistance for the affected farmers in the form of compensation for their losses and free seeds.
The Chief Minister was apprised that the flood hit farmers would be compensated @ Rs.12,000 per acre (GoI-share Rs.5000 and the State Government Rs.7000). The compensation would also include de-silting of land affected by floods. The compensation would be disbursed after completion of special girdawari, which the State Revenue Department has already ordered.
Deferring recovery of crop loans of the affected farmers taken from the State Cooperative Banks, the Chief Minister stated that he would take up this issue with the Government of India to request for a similar decision by the Commercial Banks in the State.
It may be noted that the state government has already announced Rs. 4 lakh per person to compensate the families of the deceased, besides monetary assistance to compensate the affected families in lieu of loss of their animals @ Rs.30,000 per milch cattle, Rs.25000 for bullocks and Rs. 3000 for sheep, goat and pig.
The State Government, as per policy, would compensate the affected families @ Rs1.00 lakh for fully damaged pucca house and @ Rs.95000 for fully damaged kacha house. Farm labourers and other workers would also be compensated @ Rs. 60 per day per adult and Rs.45 per day per child, not housed in any relief camps set by the Government.
So far, ight persons have been reported dead – one each in Fazilka, Roopnagar and Jalandhar district and five in Ludhiana. One person is reported to be missing and 12 are injured. Total crop area of over 1.72 lakh acres was affected due to flooding.
As far as damaged houses are concerned, 298 pucca houses are partially and 1457 fully/severly damaged whereas 64 kutcha Houses are partially and 49 fully/severely damaged. As many as 4228 cattle died in the flood hit areas.
Apart from this, 5973 persons were evacuated to safer places. 99 relief camps for inmates were set up, where 2776 persons were housed. Nearly, 3000 cattle were kept in four relief camps. Average rainfall of 22 districts was reported to be 317.63 mm, which mainly caused damage in 544 villages of 18 districts, thereby affecting 13,635 persons.
