The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Finance department to release requisite funds to all the deputy commissioners to combat any eventuality arising out of the floods in the current monsoon season.Badal was presiding over a meeting with the deputy commissioners of the state to review the progress of flood protection works here at Chief Minister’s Office this morning. The Chief Minister asked the Secretary Irrigation to ensure the strengthening of flood protection works at vulnerable sites in consultation with the concerned deputy commissioners on priority.
Secretary Irrigation apprised the Chief Minister that there was 43% below normal rain in the state from June 1 to July 7 and the monsoon was likely to be normal between 13 to 20 July according to the information received from metrological department. He said that the water level except Ranjit Sagar Dam which was 8.20 Ft. higher than the last year level, whereas both Bakhra and Pong Dam were 15.97ft and 20.89ft below the last year mark of 1626.14ft and 1335.17ft respectively. He also informed Mr. Badal that the finance department has already released Rs.45 crore for the flood protection measures.Meanwhile, the Financial Commissioner Revenue told the Chief Minister that all the deputy commissioners had been allotted Rs.2 lakh each for their districts for making advance arrangements and Rs.10 lakh for meeting any sort of emergency.
Taking part in the deliberations, Revenue & Rehabilitation Minister Bikram Singh Majithia assured the Chief Minister that the department was fully geared up to face any eventuality arising out of floods. He asked the FCR to keep close liaison with all the deputy commissioners to sort out any hardship faced by them in getting the flood protection works executed.Prominent amongst others who attended in the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, FCR Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mrs. Vini Mahajan and Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema.