Chandigarh, September 8, 2025 — Punjab Government’s special flood-relief initiative, Operation Rahat, is offering a lifeline to families and farmers affected by recent deluges. Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, who spearheads the operation under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, has personally contributed ₹5 lakh from his family funds to repair and restore 50 damaged homes, giving struggling families a fresh start.
While the release of water from Bhakra Dam and Himachal Pradesh has decreased, villages in Anandpur Sahib constituency and Nangal continue to battle the aftereffects of widespread flooding. Roads, homes, and farmland remain extensively damaged. Minister Bains and his team have been visiting affected areas regularly to ensure direct assistance reaches those in need.
What sets Operation Rahat apart is the hands-on approach of the Minister. Beyond planning relief measures, Bains has joined cleanliness drives at government schools alongside local sarpanches and youth volunteers. “With the support of our people and the blessings of Waheguru, we can overcome any challenge,” he said.
The relief initiative includes spraying DDT, fogging, deployment of medical teams, and veterinary doctors to prevent post-flood diseases and safeguard livestock. Floods destroyed maize and paddy crops in several villages, and field staff — including patwaris, kanungos, tehsildars, SDMs, and sarpanches — will remain stationed in villages for the next 10 days to deliver government schemes, expedite compensation, and provide special support to families who lost livestock.
Minister Bains assured that damage assessments of homes will be completed within 3–4 days, followed by immediate restoration work. “Operation Rahat will be completed on a large scale within the next 8–10 days, ensuring timely relief for affected people,” he noted.
Even before the operation’s formal launch, Minister Bains opened his two private residences — his ancestral home in Gambhirpur and Sewa Sadan in Nangal — to flood victims, offering 24×7 shelter, food, and medical aid. “Whatever I am today, it is because of the people. In this hour of crisis, my homes remained open around the clock for every family in need,” he added.
Operation Rahat is not only a reflection of one Minister’s commitment but also a testament to the Punjab Government’s responsiveness and dedication. The initiative is fast emerging as a beacon of hope and a fresh beginning for the people of Anandpur Sahib.
