Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following an aerial survey of Punjab’s most devastated regions, unveiled a ₹1,600 crore relief package aimed at supporting recovery from the state’s worst floods in decades. This aid comes in addition to ₹12,000 crore already allocated for disaster relief, marking a significant federal response to the crisis.
During his visit to Gurdaspur, one of the worst-affected districts, the PM held discussions with officials and met with flood victims. He offered heartfelt condolences and reiterated the central government’s intent to stand firmly with Punjab through coordinated relief efforts.
Key measures outlined in the aid package include:
- Immediate financial relief: An ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to families of those who have lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the seriously injured.
- Support for orphaned children under the PM-CARES scheme.
- Rehabilitation initiatives such as rebuilding homes under PM Awas Yojana-Gramin, restoring damaged schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, repairing infrastructure, and allocating mini livestock kits.
- Rural support including accelerating the release of SDRF funds and extending PM Kisan Samman Nidhi installments.
Despite the breadth of these initiatives, the response has been met with strong backlash from Punjab’s leadership:
- AAP state officials and the finance minister labeled the ₹1,600 crore package as “miserably meagre,” calling it an insult to the severity of the devastation affecting livelihoods, agriculture, and infrastructure.
- Opposition parties and farm unions echoed this, deeming it a symbolic gesture and demanding at least ₹20,000 crore in immediate assistance.
- The state governor, while acknowledging the aid, described it as merely a “token” measure and assured that more substantial funding will follow after damage assessments are completed.
This divide highlights a tension between central and state-level expectations, as flood-related damages in Punjab are estimated to run into tens of thousands of crores. The central government’s multi-pronged efforts signal a swift starting point for relief, but Punjab’s leadership continues to press for a more substantial, long-term financial commitment to aid full recovery.