Compensation still eludes flood victims in Amritsar’s Ghonewal village

“The government has failed to compensate us,” he said, adding that it was largely non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that had stepped in to help the affected people.

The Ravi river breach that submerged Ghonewal left it among the worst-affected villages in the region and drew visits from senior leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Yet, this attention has not translated into effective rehabilitation.

As per official data, Ghonewal residents have received compensation of Rs 21,20,375 across three categories—crop damage (Rs 4,18,375 for nine farmers), livestock loss (Rs 3,69,500 for 10 beneficiaries), and house damage (Rs 13,20,000 for 11 families). In all, only 30 beneficiaries have received payments so far, a small fraction of those entitled.

Pirthipal Singh said that around 200 to 225 homes were damaged, 16 families lost livestock, and about 450 farmers suffered crop losses. He admitted delays due to verification errors but assured that “payments are being processed”.

Residents narrated heart-wrenching experiences of loss. Mangal Singh said his house was torn apart by the floods, estimating the damage at over Rs 2 lakh. “No government help has reached us,” he lamented, though a Sikh NGO provided his family with a washing machine and refrigerator.

Gurnam Singh, blind for the past two years, said his home and small shop had been wiped out. “Officials came and took notes, but no help or money has arrived,” he said.

Similarly, Prem Masih reported damage to her washing machine and motorcycle, but got no relief from either the government or NGOs.

Residents Aakash, Angrej Singh, and Rupinder Singh echoed similar anguish. “Not a single rupee has reached us from the government,” Rupinder Singh said bitterly, describing how his house’s roof was destroyed in the flood.
15-20 of 367 houses unaffected

Sarpanch Amarjit Singh said nearly all 367 houses in the village were damaged, with barely 15 or 20 left unharmed.

“Entire homes, bathrooms, and roofs were washed away, yet almost no one has received compensation,” he said, accusing workers of the ruling AAP of bias in relief work.

“The help that arrived reached only a few people close to the ruling party. The rest got nothing,” he alleged.

Amarjit also called for transparency in aid distribution, pointing out that supplies were often stored at private homes rather than given to rightful beneficiaries. The sarpanch warned that farmers whose land had been damaged were still without DAP fertiliser and quality seeds, urging immediate government action.

Dr Rakesh Sharma of the NGO Voice of Amritsar confirmed that the relief covered only a fraction of the requirement. “We rebuilt two homes, provided one family with an atta chakki and another with a candy machine, and with help from the Trivadi Cantonment Army camp, we distributed essentials to nearly 500 families,” he said.

Other NGOs have also helped rebuild homes, while Punjabi singers Mankirat Aulakh and Guru Randhawa have contributed towards house repairs for several residents.

Pirthipal Singh said the administration aimed to complete compensation work by November 15, acknowledging earlier delays due to data errors. “The accounts are being corrected. Villagers should cooperate to ensure quicker processing,” he added.

However, many in Ghonewal remain sceptical. Most continue living in damaged houses with wide cracks in the walls and roofs.

Complexities in verifying ownership
District Revenue Officer Navkeerat Singh attributed the delay in compensation distribution mainly to the complexities involved in verifying ownership and cultivation claims.

“Earlier, landowners were also cultivators of their land, but over time, various land accounts and tenancy arrangements have complicated the verification process. Additionally, many farms have been leased out, requiring fresh verification at the field level to ensure the right payments,” he said.

The DRO now estimates that the process of compensation distribution might be extended by another week. He urged patience as the administration works through the necessary verification steps.

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