Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday toured the flood affected areas of Hoshiarpur district in a boat to take stock of the situation at the ground level.Aboard the boat with NDRF officials, the Chief Minister visited Rara and Fateh Kulla villages and then visited village haler.
He asked the officers to ensure evacuation of the people in low lying areas to safe places. Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically said that every life is precious for the state government and no stone should be left unturned for bailing the people in this hour of crisis.
Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the entire government machinery including the Helicopter of state government is at disposal of people in this hour of crisis. He said that though no rain has taken place in the state but due to heavy downpour in hilly states flood has been caused in these areas.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is constantly in touch with the BBMB authorities and the Himachal government to assess the situation.The Chief Minister further said that the havoc has been caused in district due to release of excess water from Pong Dam.
He said that though Pong dam is above the danger mark by six feet but still there is nothing to worry as in past it has been above ten feet then the danger level. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the water is being released in a controlled manner from the dam for the safety of people.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that the water at Bhakra Dam is below the danger mark. He said that every effort is being made to bail out the people in this hour of crisis. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that people of the state are blessed with indomitable spirit to fight against the hostile situations.
The Chief Minister said that the people of state are displaying remarkable bonhomie with each other in this hour of crisis. He said that people are helping each other with missionary zeal thereby cementing the ethos of communal harmony and brotherhood.
Bhagwant Singh Mann lauded the people for this rare gesture and said that this has proved that people follow the footsteps of great Gurus, saints and seers to serve the people in distress.The Chief Minister also lauded number of philanthropist who are contributing generously in the CM’s relief fund.
He said that a number of social and religious organisations along with the government servants are coming forward for helping the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while is there help is pouring in from all quarters the state government is committed for judiciously utilising these funds for well being of people.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has already ordered a special Girdawari to ascertain the loss incurred to people due to floods in the state. He said that the officers have been directed to ensure that the Special Girdawari is done in a fair manner so that people are duly compensated for their loss.
Bhagwant Mann assured the people that his government will compensate the people even if they had lost a hen or a goat.The Chief Minister said that every loss of crop, cattle, house or anything will be covered in the special girdawari to fully compensate the people for this colossus loss.
He said that the loss in these low lying areas where water has caused havoc will also be ascertained and people will be duly compensated. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that his government will compensate the people for loss of every single penny incurred by them during the floods.
The Chief Minister said that there is no need for people to panic as state government is there to bail out the people adding he asked the officers to share the information regarding water level regularly with people to avoid any confusion.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people must not get swayed away with canards pertaining to floods or opening of floodgates by dams until it is not verified by the authorities. He also exhorted the media to play a positive role by not creating panic by highly sensitizing fake news on floods.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Bram Shankar Jimpa, MLAs Jasbir Singh Raja, Karambir Singh Ghuman and Dr Ravjot Singh along with others.