Seeking Punjab’s rights, not begging: CM Mann on Rs 60,000 cr dues demand from Centre

The chief minister said the notified norms are totally unrealistic as compared to actual losses suffered by the farmers. Compensation for losses suffered per acre was too minuscule given the exorbitant hike in the prices of agricultural inputs, he underlined.

Mann visited Gatti Rajo ki village on a boat and demanded that a relief of Rs 50,000 per acre should be fixed for the farmers who suffered crop losses in the flood. He said he had written to PM Modi and sought his intervention to enhance ex gratia for families of deceased to Rs 8 lakh from the existing Rs 4 lakh. He has also sought upward revision for ex gratia payment for loss of limb or eye(s) from the existing Rs 74,000 per person, when the disability is between 40 per cent and 60 per cent, to Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs 5 lakh when the disability is more than 60 per cent, from the existing Rs 2.50 lakh.

Mann said the Union government must adopt a liberal approach in duly compensating the flood victims in this hour of crisis. According to him, the recent floods have impacted more than 1,300 villages across the state and have affected lakhs of people. Heavy monsoon rains, coupled with the release of water from dams, have caused extensive flooding in more than 10 districts, he remarked. The situation is still evolving, and the condition may deteriorate further, he said.

Mann said about three lakh acres of farmland, primarily paddy fields, have submerged under floodwater, just weeks before harvest. Additionally, there has been a widespread loss of livestock, which is severely impacting rural households whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on dairy and animal husbandry, the chief minister pointed out. He said the state government was making strenuous efforts to ensure relief and rescue work for the flood-affected areas.

Mann said Punjab always stood with the nation in times of crisis, and hoped that the country would reciprocate now. He claimed the state suffered a Rs 50,000-crore loss on account of the GST implementation, and a payment of Rs 8,000 crore from the Centre’s rural development fund was due.

“If they (Centre) give it, we will manage,” Mann told reporters in Ferozepur. “Whenever the country faced any crisis, Punjab always stood by it — be it the green revolution or the fight for freedom. We have made maximum sacrifices. Today, Punjab is in crisis, and I hope the country stands by it.”

Seeking the release of Rs 60,000 crore from the Centre, the chief minister said, “I am demanding the rights (of the state). I am not begging from the Centre.” A few days ago, Mann had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 60,000 crore of the state’s funds, which he claimed were “stuck” with the Centre. He had highlighted that Punjab was grappling with one of the worst flood disasters in decades.

The chief minister applauded the Army’s contribution in undertaking relief and rescue operations. Twenty helicopters have been deployed by the Army in relief and rescue measures, he said.

“But people are saying they do not want to leave their homes. They are attached to them. Moreover, they have cattle. (That is why) They are sitting on rooftops,” he said.

Replying to a reporter’s question, he said the Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams are safe.

About his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister said, “He inquired about the situation. Home Minister Amit Shah also called up.” Mann said he apprised them about the entire situation.

Governor Kataria , meanwhile, supported the farmers’ demand for permanent ownership rights of land to enable them to get crop loss compensation and benefits of government schemes. This matter will be brought to the attention of the chief minister and efforts will be made to resolve it permanently, he said.

Speaking to the media after meeting people at a relief centre set up in a school in Bare Ke village in Ferozepur, Kataria said more than 250 flood victims have been accommodated safely at the relief centre.

The affected people informed him that they and their families have been cultivating these lands for the last 70 years. Earlier, the ‘girdawari’ (land cultivation record) was in their name. However, since their names were removed from government records, they have been deprived of compensation and benefits of government schemes.

They further pointed out that they suffer due to floods every year and whenever there is a threat of war, they have to leave their homes and move to safer places.

After hearing their problems, Kataria said these people face a double blow every year and hence a permanent solution to their issues is necessary.

To ensure this, he said, he would meet the CM and bring the matter to his attention for resolution.

The governor said these people have been cultivating land along the border and they could be given residential plots with ownership rights at safe locations so that they do not have to abandon their homes during floods or times of war.

Prior to visiting the relief centre, the governor paid homage to the martyrs at the Hussainiwala Memorial.

He said that whenever water is released from headworks or dams, arrangements must be made to move these people to safer places during the time it takes for the water to reach their area.

Earlier, Kataria visited the headworks to review the water level.

On on a three-day visit to the flood-hit districts, he will visit Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot on September 3, and Hoshiarpur and Sri Anandpur Sahib on September 4.

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