DERA BABA NANAK, November 27 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday launched a massive relief drive, distributing ₹377 crore to over 30,000 families affected by recent floods across the state.
Speaking at the public event, Mann acknowledged the hardships faced by residents and praised volunteers and social organizations who aided flood-hit communities. “The pain of affected families is beyond words. During my visits, I directly heard their suffering. The government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with every family,” he said.
The Chief Minister announced that farmers are receiving ₹20,000 per acre as crop damage compensation, the highest ever by any state in India. For families whose homes were completely destroyed, the government is providing ₹1.20 lakh per house. Out of around 30,000 damaged homes, 8,056 are in Gurdaspur district alone.
Mann said the relief payments are being disbursed in three installments, with the first tranche of ₹70,000 already released. He added that the rebuilding of homes has been brought under MGNREGA, offering 90 days of employment per beneficiary to aid reconstruction. “This ensures both financial aid and employment, separate from the ₹1.20 lakh grant,” he said.
Highlighting Punjab’s resilience, Mann said that despite losses of around ₹13,500 crore, the state contributed nearly 150 lakh tonnes of rice to the national pool. He reiterated his demand that the Centre immediately release the ₹1,600 crore relief package previously announced.
The Chief Minister’s initiative is being widely appreciated as a historic humanitarian step. “Providing relief to over 30,000 families simultaneously is a significant achievement,” Mann said, noting that the state has fulfilled its responsibility while standing by citizens like a family member.
