In flood-hit Punjab, complaints of ‘black marketing, steep rise in prices’ surface
“Only a small amount of water, about two to four inches, has receded. So, the overall situation remains difficult. We are not receiving proper help on time,” Avtar Singh alleged.
Despite the Punjab government claiming to distribute relief material for people and fodder for livestock in flood-hit areas regularly, complaints of alleged “mismanagement in the distribution of relief material” and “black marketing” have cropped up from several quarters.
Lalwala village sarpanch Avtar Singh alleged, “There is a mismanagement in the way relief material is being distributed in Ajnala. Needy people didn’t get it.” The sarpanch alleged that it had been three days and no administrative official had visited Lalwala village, possibly due to deep waterlogging.
“We have not yet received fodder for our livestock here. Only four bundles have arrived so far. An NDRF boat had come with ration supplies, but we need to feed our cattle as well. We went to Ajnala today and bought polythene paper for temporary huts in villages. These were provided by NGOs.”
“Only a small amount of water, about two to four inches, has receded. So, the overall situation remains difficult. We are not receiving proper help on time,” Avtar Singh alleged.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee president Sarwan Singh Pandher alleged “black marketing” amid a steep rise in the prices of goods. “There is a sharp hike in the prices of essential commodities in Amritsar. The cost of a feed bag has gone up by Rs 80. A 25 kg fodder pack of Rs 550 now costs Rs 630. The cost of boats, crucial for rescue operations, has doubled.
A wooden boat, which was sold for Rs 30,000, now costs Rs 60,000. The cost of a fibre-rubber boat in Chandigarh and Ropar has surged from Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000. Online platforms are showing an even steeper increase, with the cost of one boat jumping from Rs 125,000 to nearly Rs 250,000. Generators and other supplies are also seeing a “shocking” markup amid high demand.”
Gurdaspur District Public Relations Officer Inderjit Singh Harpura said, “Truckloads of relief material from across the state have started arriving for flood victims. Most of the donors are focusing on Dera Baba Nanak. As they are coming from far-off areas and are not familiar with the geographical layout of Punjab, they usually distribute relief material in villages on the Dera Baba Nanak Road before leaving. As a result, several border villages in the Kalanaur area, located far from main roads, have been receiving very little relief material. Some local volunteers have reached these places, but compared to villages located on main roads, their numbers are fewer.”
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“Donors coming from outside Punjab often ask in flood-affected areas about where to distribute relief material. Taking this into account, the Gurdaspur district administration has appointed nodal officers at the district level to coordinate the distribution of relief material. This will ensure service organisations receive accurate information and relief reaches those who need the most,” the officer said.
According to villagers, non-government organisations and, in many cases, villages from the Malwa and Majha regions, which are not affected by flood, have been sending huge consignments of relief material, but relief efforts are marred by “disorganisation and exploitation”. Charitable workers and volunteers are active, but scammers and thieves are taking advantage by grabbing supplies along roadsides, they alleged.
Young Progressive Farmers Producers Organisation president Gurbinder Singh Bajwa said, “We attempted public-led initiatives, including coordination with veterinary officers in blocks like Khadoor Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Kalanor, and Ramdas to deliver aid to genuine livestock owners using departmental records. The Amritsar administration can also do the same.”
Democratic Rights Organisation president Ratan Singh Randhawa said, “Police efforts focus mainly on traffic control, while law and order issues allow harassment of relief carriers. It’s difficult for police to identify people taking advantage of the situation by storing relief material. At times, relief material is dumped or remains undistributed due to mismanagement. With better discipline, things could be far more effective.”
Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts.
Core Beats & Specializations
Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions.
National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups.
Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies:
1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht
"Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015.
"YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies.
"As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications.
2. Crime & National Security
"Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison.
"Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border.
"15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions.
3. Political Analysis & Elections
"AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress.
"Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages.
"AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions.
4. Human Interest
"Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction.
"Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo.
Signature Beat
Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect.
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