Punjab MLA and former Cabinet Minister Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, while assuring rehabilitation to the flood victims of Ajnala region, said that during the Mughal era and British rule, Punjab and Punjabi identity were repeatedly subjected to oppression and devastation. Natural calamities also caused destruction, but the unity of Punjabi spirit always helped Punjab stand back on its feet.
In the same way, now too, under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has launched “Mission Chardi Kala” for the reconstruction of Punjab, which has been socially and economically devastated by incessant heavy rains and catastrophic floods.
Under this mission, people across the country and especially philanthropic Punjabis living abroad will come together as one family and, with generosity, help Punjab overcome this difficult time so that Punjabi spirit soon triumphs over the havoc of the floods.
Mr. Dhaliwal expressed these views today while continuing his rehabilitation campaign in flood-affected villages of Ajnala region, where he visited border villages such as *Kot Rajada* and *Sufian, inspecting damaged houses, cleaning fields and villages, and listening to the problems faced by flood victims to provide solutions.
He informed that under *Mission Chardi Kala, Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann has convened a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from September 26 to 29.In this session, amendments will be sought in the Central Government’s relief fund policy, under which currently the following compensations are given:
* ₹6,800 per acre for 100% crop loss,
* ₹37,500 per animal for dead livestock,
* ₹40,000 for damaged houses,
* ₹2 lakh to the dependents of persons who died in floods.
The Punjab government will demand an increase in these compensations for the state’s reconstruction.
He further stated that floods have affected over 2,300 villages across 23 districts of Punjab, damaging 3,200 schools, 1,400 health centers, 8,500 km of roads, 2,500 bridges and culverts, and thousands of Panchayat buildings. More than 2 million people have been affected, 56 lives have been lost, and hundreds of animals have perished.
To cover this massive loss, compensation should be increased to ₹20,000 per acre for crop damage, along with an appropriate increase for damaged houses and livestock.Dhaliwal appealed to all philanthropists living in India and abroad to generously contribute to Mission Chardi Kala to help Punjab overcome this natural calamity.