The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that water-logging had assumed the proportions of a deep human tragedy, requiring out-of-the-box long term measures for a permanent solution. “The problem is no longer limited merely to saving crop; the entire affected area had been doomed to a massive socio-economic devastation and unless matchingcomprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction initiative wasundertaken, the crisis could have a spill over into social stability, economic frustration and law and order for decades to come. Mr. Badal was appreciative of the sympathetic hearing and assurances given by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the demands put forth by him during the PM’s Chandigarh visit, and said that he was hopeful of Dr. Singh’s personal intervention to help the state in this hour of crisis. The CM disclosed that the Prime Minister had invited him to New Delhi with a comprehensive report to find some solution for this menace.
The Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that the center had taken so long to wake up to the gravity of the situation and was still forcing the much-needed central relief and rehabilitation measures to get bogged down in technicalities and superfluous norms. The Chief Minister, who has been camping in the affected areas eversince the calamity hit the Malwa hinterland, especially Mukatsar district, warned that the government would brook no laxity on the part of any officer or official in what he described as “noble though critical cause”. “Dereliction of duty in ameliorating the sufferings of the poor and affected people would be met with exemplary punishment. “ Mr. Badal has not moved out of the area since calamity hit the people except to meet the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and attend aGlobal Agriculture Summit at Gandhinagar. He also successfullypersuaded all members of the Finance Commission to visit the affected villages on September 8.Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to provide relief and rehabilitation to the flood victims, the Chief Minister was categorical in emphasing that he expected officers to go beyond the call of their duty to help the people in this hourextraordinary crisis. He cautioned the administration officials against taking the people for granted. “The tragedy calls for round the clock relief measures and service with missionary zeal for redressing their grievances. The Chief Minister had a word of praise for officers and officials who had responded the challenge with exceptional commitment, hard-workand a spirit of sacrifice. “Their role and services at this critical hour would be duly acknowledged and put on record. I am proud of those officers who have spent days and nights battling the odds to help the people,” said the Chief Minister. Mr. Badal also expressed hope that the much awaited clearance for the construction of Cancer hospital in state on the lines of Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital would also be given by the Union Cabinet soon.
The Chief Minister further said that the Prime Minister had also assured him that the compensation given to the victims of the natural tragedy would also be suitably hiked to facilitate the distressed people in this hour of crisis. Mr. Badal said that all these matters were pending with the Government of India (GoI) and Prime Minister’s intervention would be of great help in streamlining these projects. “I am thankful to Prime Minister for assuring me the positive outcome of all the matters raised before him”, he added.Reiterating that the people from weaker and downtrodden sections who were having limited sources of income were the worst affected due to fury of floods, the Chief Minister said that he had already directed the officers to make sure that all the outstanding dues pertaining to the pensions and Shagun scheme beside any other financial assistance were made available to these beneficiaries within a week. He further said that it was the moral duty of state government to help these sections of society in this hour of crisis. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani and Lok Sabha MP Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya.