‘With folded hands’: Punjab farm unions urge philanthropists to pause ration kits, seek post-flood rehabilitation support
Punjab farmers' unions said that beyond surveys and visits, they urgently need concrete measures such as timely compensation and rehabilitation support.
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Many villages not even touched by floodwaters are receiving ration kits, while badly affected areas remain cut off due to high water, preventing NGOs from accessing them. (PTI Photo)Farmers’ unions and farmers in flood-hit Punjab have appealed to philanthropists, NGOs, celebrities and people from all walks of life to hold further supplies temporarily, and instead help them with long-term rehabilitation once the water fully recedes.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, Coordinator, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), said he was grateful for the overwhelming response but stressed that the real challenge lies ahead. “Now that water has started receding, the real requirement will come afterwards. Farmers will need much more support once the fields are accessible again. We humbly request NGOs and donors to return after a few days, when water recedes fully to provide meaningful help,” Pandher told The Indian Express.
He said, “They must visit the villages, do a survey of the needs, and come back with help.”
Gurmeet Singh Mehma of the Krantikari Kisan Union, based in Ferozepur, highlighted the scale of destruction. “Punjab has more than 12,000 villages, of which close to 2,000 are badly hit. Crops on over 3.5 lakh acres of land have been wiped out. Wheat sowing will only be possible once the land dries and fields are levelled again, which many farmers cannot afford. For now, the priority is to strengthen embankments of the rivers,” he said.
Mehma, too, urged philanthropists to wait at least 10 days, adding that nearby organisations are already supplying food and water.
Farmers also cautioned that much of the relief is not reaching those in real need. Many villages not even touched by floodwaters are receiving ration kits, while badly affected areas remain cut off due to high water, preventing NGOs from accessing them.
“Your spirit of service is admirable, but currently it is not reaching the right hands. Let the waters go down first, conduct surveys in the villages, and then bring what is truly required,” said Mehma.
Agriculture expert Devinder Sharma, who toured the flooded areas in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, also posted on his social media page with the same request.
“And now, finally, with folded hands, I would like to appeal to you all to hold on with your relief supplies. I admire and respect your sentiments to stand in solidarity and support, but please understand that your relief supplies would be required when the floods recede and the displaced villagers can go back. They will then need your help and support with materials and finances. So please hold on. Otherwise, what you are sending is not reaching the real beneficiaries.”
A list for flood-hit Punjab villages
Farmer leaders and village heads listed specific post-flood requirements: wheat seeds, diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser, diesel to run tractors for levelling fields, green fodder and silage for livestock, cattle feed, clothes as many lost theirs because of the water logging, household items like refrigerators and basic furniture, utensils, repair of damaged houses, reconstruction of many houses, and medical aid for both people and animals.
“Punjab is the land of the Gurus. Langar is never an issue here. But rehabilitation is a much bigger and urgent need,” said Iqbal Singh Mallah, nambardar of Muthianwala, and Avtar Singh from the Kamalwala village, in Ferozepur.
Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary of BKU Dakaunda, said he visited all the Ghaggar bundh points in Patiala, which are weak and where strengthening work is currently underway, Sunday.
“Diesel was the main demand. Hence, we need to focus on spending funds in the right place. Local gurdwaras and other religious organisations manage Langar.”
Leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) underlined that the actual crisis comes after flood waters go down. “For the past 20–25 days, we have somehow managed. The real need arises later — for levelling fields, sowing the next crop, and ensuring fodder and feed for cattle for six months,” said Avtar Singh Mehma of Krantikari Kisan Union, which is a part of SKM.
Farmers in Fazilka echoed this sentiment, pointing out that once water recedes, villages are often forgotten.
“We hope that help reaches the right hands and Punjab is rebuilt yet again…help is needed beyond ration kits, food, and fodder,” said Sukhjinder Singh Rajan, an Abohar-based farmer.
Meanwhile, the issue of crop loss in Punjab has drawn national attention. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan toured flood-affected villages on September 4, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Punjab on September 9 to assess crop damage.
Farmer unions, however, insist that beyond surveys and visits, concrete measures such as timely compensation and rehabilitation support are urgently required.
It is learnt that many NRIs have also contributed funds to help the flood-affected people, and many Punjabi film industry and Bollywood stars are also extending help.
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