New Delhi [India], September 17 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the central government to provide a comprehensive relief package for Punjab, where catastrophic floods have caused extensive damage. Gandhi stated that the state has suffered estimated losses of at least Rs 20,000 crore, while the Rs 1,600 crore initial relief announced by the Union government “does grave injustice” to affected residents.
Recalling his recent visit to flood-hit areas, Gandhi highlighted the human and economic toll of the disaster. “Over four lakh acres of paddy crops have been destroyed, and over 10 lakh animals have perished. Lakhs of people, mostly from marginalised communities, have lost their homes. The flood has rendered vast tracts of land uncultivable,” he said in his letter written on Tuesday. Gandhi also praised the local communities for rallying to support those affected, often at great personal risk.
Emphasising the need for a stronger response from the Centre, Gandhi urged the government to facilitate a rapid assessment of the damage and provide a comprehensive relief package. “Punjab will rise again. In their hour of need, we must reassure every farmer, every soldier, and every family in Punjab that India stands with them,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Modi had visited Punjab on September 9 to review the flood situation caused by cloudbursts and heavy rainfall. During his visit, he conducted an aerial survey of affected areas and held a review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives. The central government announced financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab, in addition to Rs 12,000 crore already allocated. An advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi was also announced.
On the same day, PM Modi visited Himachal Pradesh to assess damage caused by floods, cloudbursts, and landslides, announcing Rs 1,500 crore in relief, along with an advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. (ANI)
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