CHANDIGARH, September 15: — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann waded through flooded villages to meet residents on Democracy Day, pledging direct financial support for families and farmers hit by this year’s devastating floods.
Unlike the customary aerial surveys by leaders, Mann walked through knee-deep water in Amritsar and border villages, speaking with residents whose homes and fields were damaged. “I am not the Chief Minister, I am the Minister of Grief,” Mann told one gathering, a remark that drew an emotional response from those present.
The Punjab government has announced what officials describe as the country’s largest crop compensation plan, with ₹20,000 per acre for affected farmers and ₹4 lakh for families that lost homes. Each flood-hit village has also been promised immediate assistance of ₹1 lakh for resettlement.
Cabinet ministers were dispatched to different districts to oversee relief operations, while volunteers and local leaders organized food distribution, medical camps and cleanliness drives across more than 2,300 villages. Officials said the response was strengthened by local participation, with residents acting as “first informers” in their communities.
Floods triggered by heavy rains left thousands displaced and damaged crops over wide areas of Punjab. Relief camps were set up to shelter affected families, while medical teams were deployed to prevent disease outbreaks.
The state’s handling of the disaster has also prompted political comparisons. While the Punjab government marked Democracy Day with field visits and aid distribution, opposition parties criticized the central government for its silence on the crisis.
Analysts note that beyond political messaging, the scale of compensation will test Punjab’s finances in the coming months. Still, residents in affected villages said immediate support has been critical. “We lost everything in the water, but getting help this quickly gives us some hope,” said Jagir Singh, a farmer from Amritsar district.
As waters recede, attention is turning toward rehabilitation and rebuilding. Officials said the state government intends to prioritize restoring livelihoods and housing in the worst-hit areas.
