Chandigarh, Sept. 12 — Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced that flood-affected families in the state would begin receiving compensation cheques by Diwali, promising what he described as the “highest relief package in the country.”
Chairing a high-level meeting with top officials, Mann reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures and interacted with all deputy commissioners via video-conference. He instructed them to complete comprehensive surveys of crop, livestock and household losses without delay.
“As a farmer’s son, I understand the sufferings of farmers very well,” he said. “I will not sleep peacefully until every farmer gets compensation for crop loss.”
“This is not just an announcement. Unlike earlier times when farmers were handed cheques of ₹26, this time strict orders have been issued to ensure fair and transparent assessment,” he said.
The chief minister said special girdawari (damage assessment) reports will be finalized within 30 to 40 days, and distribution of aid will begin within a month. Farmers whose crops have been destroyed will receive ₹20,000 per acre, while cattle owners will be compensated ₹37,500 for each cow or buffalo lost. Families whose homes collapsed or became uninhabitable will fall under the 100 percent damage category.
To accelerate the process, Mann ordered a special Girdawari (crop damage assessment) to start from September 13. Officers from less-affected districts will be deployed to the hardest-hit areas to inspect fields and prepare reports village by village. Farmers will be given one week to raise objections after the report is prepared, ensuring errors are corrected before compensation is disbursed. “No matter what the crop is, if there is damage, compensation will be given,” the Chief Minister said.
For villages where crops were completely destroyed, Mann said the process will be completed within one month, with cheques distributed immediately. “During previous governments, compensation used to take a whole year,” he remarked. “Now, it will be done in a month or one and a half months because an honest government is serving the people.”
Mann added that while the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines allow only ₹6,800 compensation, Punjab will supplement the payout to ensure families receive ₹40,000. “This is not the time to be stingy. Relief cheques are ready, and people will start receiving them around Diwali,” he said.
According to the government, 55 flood-related deaths have been confirmed so far. Compensation has been disbursed to 42 families, while cases where heirs are missing or bodies remain unrecovered are being processed.
The Chief Minister also announced relief for damaged houses and livestock. Families whose homes collapsed will receive Rs 1,20,000, while those with partial damage will get Rs 40,000. “Earlier, governments gave only Rs 6,800 for minor damage,” he noted. For livestock lost in floods, compensation will include Rs 37,500 for cows or buffaloes and Rs 4,000 for goats, along with provisions for bulls, horses, chickens, fish farming, and other animals. Mann instructed that house and livestock compensation be distributed starting September 15, with the entire process completed within 45 days.
The chief minister issued a warning to officers, stating that any negligence or corruption in relief distribution would invite strict action. “This is not the time for politics. Unfortunately, some have tried to politicise the crisis, which is extremely shameful,” he remarked.
Mann credited social, religious and voluntary organisations for their contributions during the floods. “Punjab is a land where no stranger sleeps hungry—then how can we let our own suffer?” he asked.
