Punjab CM Requests Central Government for Rs.60,000 Crore Relief Amidst Devastating Floods

Strategic Insights -

As Punjab grapples with one of the worst flood disasters in decades, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the release of Rs.60,000 crore of pending funds from the central government. The state is facing a severe crisis, with lakhs of people affected in over 1,000 villages, and about 3-lakh acres of farmland submerged under floodwaters. Mann's letter highlights the devastating crop losses, widespread loss of livestock, and the need for revised compensation norms for farmers and others affected by the disaster.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Punjab Chief Minister has requested the release of Rs.60,000 crore of pending funds from the central government to aid in the flood relief efforts.
  • The state is facing a severe crisis, with lakhs of people affected in over 1,000 villages, and about 3-lakh acres of farmland submerged under floodwaters.
  • The Chief Minister has proposed raising the crop loss compensation from the existing Rs.15,000 per acre to Rs.50,000 per acre.
  • Mann has also requested a revision of norms for compensation to farmers and others from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
  • The state government has proposed doubling the ex gratia payment for loss of life to the next of kin from Rs.4 lakh per person to Rs.8 lakh per person.
  • Financial assistance for the loss of milch animals has been proposed to be increased from Rs.37,500 to Rs.75,000, while for poultry birds, it has been proposed to be increased from Rs.100 per bird to Rs.250 per bird.
  • Mann has also requested a permanent revenue loss of Rs.49,727 crore on account of implementation of GST and compensation for scrapped PMGSY projects worth Rs.828 crore.

Statistics:

  • Rs.60,000 crore: the amount of pending funds requested by the Punjab Chief Minister from the central government.
  • Rs.49,727 crore: the estimated permanent revenue loss of Punjab on account of implementation of GST.
  • Rs.8,000 crore: the loss on account due to the reduction of RDF and MDF in recent years.
  • Rs.828 crore: the amount of scrapped PMGSY projects.
  • 1,000 villages: the number of villages affected by the floods.
  • 3-lakh acres: the extent of farmland submerged under floodwaters.
  • Rs.15,000 per acre: the current compensation for crop loss.
  • Rs.50,000 per acre: the proposed compensation for crop loss.
  • Rs.4 lakh per person: the current ex gratia payment for loss of life.
  • Rs.8 lakh per person: the proposed ex gratia payment for loss of life.
  • Rs.37,500: the current financial assistance for the loss of milch animals.
  • Rs.75,000: the proposed financial assistance for the loss of milch animals.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, "Punjab CM requests Centre for Rs 60,000 cr aid amid floods"