Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP leaders Ravneet Singh and Tarun Chugh and others ride on a tractor during an inspection of a flood-affected areas, at Ramdass, in Amritsar district, Punjab. (PTI)
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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who visited flood-affected areas of Punjab on Thursday, will submit a “detailed report” on the damage caused by the deluge in the state.
Chouhan said he visited Punjab on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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“The flood situation in Punjab has left the Honorable Prime Minister extremely concerned. On his instructions, I went to Punjab to understand the situation there,” Chouhan wrote on X.
Chouhan further said, “There is a deluge in Punjab. Crops have been destroyed and ruined. In this hour of crisis, the Central Government stands with the people and farmers of Punjab. Now, we need to work in a planned manner for the reconstruction of the flood-affected areas. To bring Punjab out of this crisis, we will have to prepare short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans.
“I will submit a detailed report of the damage in Punjab to the Prime Minister. The crisis is big, but the Central Government will leave no stone unturned to overcome this crisis.”
The Union minister said the state government has to work with “full seriousness” at the grassroots level, and a plan has to be put in place to remove the silt from fields so that the sowing of Rabi crops is not affected.
“When the water recedes, there will be a risk of diseases spreading. Dead animals will have to be disposed of safely so that diseases do not spread…” Chouhan added.
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He said that embankments (bunds) along the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar rivers were strengthened during the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
“But due to illegal mining, they have weakened, and water has entered the villages. Now it is necessary to strengthen those structures so that Punjab can be saved from such tragedies in the future,” he said.
“In this hour of crisis, I have witnessed an example of service to the victims in Punjab. Thousands of social workers have set out from their villages in tractors carrying food, clothes, and medicines, and are serving in villages… It is this spirit of unity and service that gives us the strength to emerge from even the biggest crises. We will also steer the people of Punjab through this crisis,” the agriculture minister said.
On Wednesday, Chouhan spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and enquired about the flood situation in the state.
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Soon after landing in Delhi from his visit to Japan and China on Monday, Prime Minister Modi also spoke to Punjab CM Mann and discussed the situation arising from the rain and floods in the state.
On Tuesday, the Punjab Government declared all 23 districts flood-hit, and said 30 people have been killed, and more than 3.5 lakh have been affected so far tragedies in the future,” he said.
“In this hour of crisis, I have witnessed an example of service to the victims in Punjab. Thousands of social workers have set out from their villages in tractors carrying food, clothes, and medicines, and are serving in villages… It is this spirit of unity and service that gives us the strength to emerge from even the biggest crises. We will also steer the people of Punjab through this crisis,” the agriculture minister said.
On Wednesday, Chouhan spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and enquired about the flood situation in the state.
Story continues below this ad
Soon after landing in Delhi from his visit to Japan and China on Monday, Prime Minister Modi also spoke to Punjab CM Mann and discussed the situation arising from the rain and floods in the state.
On Tuesday, the Punjab Government declared all 23 districts flood-hit, and said 30 people have been killed, and more than 3.5 lakh have been affected so far.
Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More