Gurdaspur (Punjab): Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab on Tuesday to assess the aftermath of recent floods and heavy rainfall, conducting an aerial survey of the worst-affected areas before holding an official review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives.
During the meeting, PM Modi announced an additional financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for the state, supplementing the Rs 12,000 crore already allocated for flood relief. The assistance includes advance release of the second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The Prime Minister outlined a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation plan, focusing on rebuilding homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing damaged schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, providing aid via the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and distributing mini kits for livestock.
Special measures will support farmers lacking power connections, refurbishing bore pumps and promoting solar-powered micro-irrigation under the Per Drop More Crop guidelines. Water sustainability initiatives will include repairing and constructing water harvesting structures through the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Program.
PM Modi also announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased victims and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. Children orphaned due to floods and landslides will receive long-term support under the PM CARES for Children scheme.
Expressing condolences to the affected families, the Prime Minister commended the efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, Army personnel, and state administration, reaffirming the Central Government’s commitment to provide all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the flood-hit areas.
Inter-Ministerial Central teams have been deployed to assess damages in Punjab, with further support to be considered based on their findings and state government proposals.
