As flood relief funds pour in, watchful Punjab farmers keep tabs

From ₹4 lakh in case of deaths to ₹ 37,300 per cow, the State Disaster Response Fund has outlined flood relief across various categories.

Punjab flood relief distributionPunjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already started disbursing flood relief from Ajnala. (Source: X/@BhagwantMann)

As the Punjab government begins disbursing flood relief funds, farmers in the state are closely monitoring compensation details, ensuring they align with the guidelines as per the Centre and state under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Meanwhile, the BJP has also started circulating messages in villages, publicising the Centre’s share in the relief allocations.

“In the 2023 floods, we got only ₹6,800 per acre as flood relief compensation. This was the Centre’s share; the state provided nothing from its own pocket. However, this time, we know the allocations under different heads, so we are doing our homework to know who is giving what,” Iqbal Singh Mallah, the nambardar (headman) of Muthianwala village in Ferozepur, whose 65 acres of land were submerged, said.

Parkash Singh, another farmer from Tendiwala village in Ferozepur, added, “We have studied the compensation under the Centre’s heads and will now get to know what all is coming to us, how much share the state is adding from its own side, and who is providing how much. For example, the state has announced ₹20,000 per acre compensation for crop loss, in which the Centre’s share will be ₹6,879 per acre. So in that case, the state will be contributing ₹13,121 per acre from its own pocket, but this is for 75-100 per cent crop loss.”

Story continues below this ad

Mallah said that the compensation details under SDRF norms are available and clearly mention the Centre’s contribution. “We are aware of all these compensation heads, and let us see how we get the relief so that we can ascertain what is the state government’s share and what is the Centre’s. The application seeking compensation needs to be signed by the sarpanch, nambardar, or other prominent persons of the village, and many such applications have already been sent to the deputy commissioner offices in different districts of Punjab,” he added.

What the SDRF norms say

According to the SDRF norms being circulated by local BJP leaders, the compensation structure includes: ₹4 lakh in case of death due to floods or other calamities; ₹16,000 per person for injuries requiring hospitalisation for more than a week; and ₹5,400 per person for those admitted for less than a week.

The SDRF also stipulates ₹74,000 for disability between 40-60 per cent and ₹2.5 lakh if disability exceeds 60 per cent; ₹2,500 per family for damage to clothes and utensils, each; ₹7,284 per acre for de-silting of fields and ₹6,879 per acre for crop loss.

For loss of livestock, the SDRF specifies: ₹37,300 per cow/buffalo, ₹4,000 per sheep, pig, or goat, ₹32,000 per horse or bull, and ₹20,000 per calf, donkey, or mule.

Story continues below this ad

Confirming the BJP’s campaign, Anil Sarin, state general secretary of the party, said, “Yes, local BJP leaders are circulating messages among villagers, informing them about various relief funds under different heads as laid out in SDRF norms, so that villagers can avail themselves of the maximum benefit.”

Horticulture to houses, relief under various heads

Abohar-based farmer Sukhjinder Singh Rajan said, “We heard on Tuesday that farmers with orchards can get compensation under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture scheme, but we are yet to seek clarity on this from our deputy commissioner’s office, as so far orchards are not under the compensation scheme for flood relief.”

Surinder Kumar’s house was damaged in the floods. The Sabuana village resident in Fazilka district says people can get ₹1.2 lakh under the PM Awas Yojana if their houses are damaged in floods, and an additional ₹40,000 for toilets if they qualify under that category as well.

“This information was provided by Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his recent Punjab visit. He claimed that over 38,000 houses have been approved by the Centre, and villagers are waiting for the disbursal of funds under this head,” he added.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already started disbursing flood relief from Ajnala, with other ministers handing over cheques in districts such as Patiala and Sangrur. The move comes even as farmers’ unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha rejected the ₹20,000 per acre compensation announced and demanded ₹1 lakh per acre and ₹70,000 per acre, respectively, for flood-affected farmers.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement