Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, despite being admitted to hospital, chaired the state cabinet meeting on Monday through video conferencing and rolled out a series of major relief measures for people affected by the recent floods. The meeting lasted for nearly two hours and saw decisions that the CM described as “unprecedented support” for farmers and victims.
Mann announced that farmers whose crops were destroyed in the floods will be compensated at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre. Calling it the highest compensation ever sanctioned by any state government, he assured that the cheques would be handed directly to farmers. In addition, families of those who lost their lives in the disaster will receive Rs 4 lakh each as ex-gratia. “I am slowly recovering, and once I am discharged, I will come back among the people. Your pain is greater than mine. This elected government stands with you at every step,” Mann said in his video message.
The CM also detailed several other decisions taken by his government. Farmers will be allowed to remove and sell the sand and silt deposited on their fields by floodwaters under a new “Whose land, his sand” policy, valid until December 31, without the need for any permits. A survey will be carried out of houses that collapsed or were washed away, with financial aid to follow once the damage is assessed. Flood-hit families have been given six months’ relief from loan repayments, including exemption from interest during this period.
For livestock and fisheries, where losses have been reported on a large scale, the government promised compensation and announced a special vaccination drive for animals. To prevent the outbreak of diseases, nearly 1,700 villages and 300 urban localities will be covered under fogging and sanitation drives. Mobile clinics and teams of doctors will be sent to villages to ensure medicines and treatment are available nearby. Damaged schools, colleges, and power infrastructure will be repaired on a war footing.
Mann emphasised that even from his hospital room, he had convened meetings with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to assess the scale of losses and expedite decisions. “Anyone can fall ill, I too am human. But Punjab is always on my mind,” he said.
According to official figures, floods have impacted 23 districts and 1,996 villages across Punjab, affecting nearly 3.87 lakh people. At least 46 people have lost their lives and three remain missing. The state had earlier called a cabinet meeting to address the crisis, but it was postponed after the CM’s health deteriorated, leading to his hospitalisation. With his condition now improving, the government has pushed forward with relief measures.