Chandigarh, Sept 20: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the Punjab government to submit a detailed report on the damages caused by recent floods, following the Centre’s decision to declare the disaster of “severe nature.”
A senior government official confirmed that the MHA communicated its decision to the state government on September 16. “This recognition means the severity of the situation has been officially acknowledged,” the official mentioned, adding that the declaration would allow for greater financial assistance.
Under the guidelines, relief is first provided through the State Disaster Response Fund, with additional support drawn from the National Disaster Response Fund once an inter-ministerial team completes its on-ground assessment. Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and Jitin Prasada had already toured flood-affected districts of Pathankot and Gurdaspur to gauge the extent of losses.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha on Friday convened a meeting with heads of all state departments and deputy commissioners to begin compiling the comprehensive damage report. “The process of preparing a detailed assessment has been initiated and will be completed within the prescribed timeline,” a government functionary noted. He further said the financial implications of the MHA order were still being studied.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said he had approached Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation, seeking immediate recognition of the Punjab floods as a major calamity. “The people of Punjab need urgent relief and rehabilitation measures. I have urged the Centre to act without delay,” Sahney stated in his appeal.
The Centre’s directive is expected to determine the scale of central financial aid to Punjab, depending on the findings of the forthcoming report.
