Chandigarh, October 16, 2025 — Ahead of Diwali, the Punjab government has released ₹209 crore in compensation for flood-affected farmers across 14 districts, fulfilling Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s promise to provide relief within 30 days.
Finance and Planning Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday launched the compensation distribution drive from Dhuri in Sangrur district, where he handed over approval letters to eight affected families.
“Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, we ensured that no victim had to wait months to receive what is rightfully theirs,” Cheema said.
The relief package includes ₹20,000 per acre for damaged crops — a first in the country — and ₹40,000 for houses destroyed in the floods, a tenfold increase from the previous ₹4,000. The initiative, part of the state’s “Mission Punarvas” (Mission Rehabilitation), aims not just to provide financial aid but to help families rebuild their lives.
Chief Minister Mann had personally launched the mission last month by distributing cheques worth ₹5.70 crore to 631 farmers in Ajnala, calling it “a promise of action, not words.”
The Punjab government said 13 cabinet ministers are now touring flood-hit areas to oversee the disbursement and ensure transparency in aid distribution.
“The Mann government is not just providing relief, it is restoring dignity,” Cheema noted.
“Our goal is to help every family stand on its feet again.” He added that the administration’s timely flood response prevented greater destruction. “Despite the Ghaggar River touching 755 feet, not a single embankment broke — a sign of efficient disaster management,” he said.
Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Rahul Chaba credited the state’s proactive planning and said the Ghaggar embankments remained intact due to “advance preparations directed by the Chief Minister.”
Cheema urged the Centre to expedite the ₹1,600 crore flood relief announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Only ₹240 crore has been released so far, which is part of the routine annual grant,” he said, accusing the Centre of neglecting Punjab during crises. “We are standing strong with our own resources and the people’s cooperation.”
Farmers expressed gratitude for the swift compensation. Gurmel Singh from Sangrur said, “For the first time, a government understood our pain so quickly. We truly feel the government is with us.” Jaswinder Kaur, another beneficiary, added, “This Diwali, the light has returned to our home because of the Mann government.”
Officials described the initiative as part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure a “self-reliant and dignified life for every Punjabi.” With “Mission Punarvas,” the Mann administration hopes to rebuild both homes and confidence in the state’s disaster response.
“This Diwali,” a senior official remarked, “the light is not only in homes but in hearts — because this time, the government kept its word.”
