PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of the deluge-ravaged belts in Punjab, which has been battling one of its worst floods. He then landed in Gurdaspur, where he held a high-level meeting and met several flood victims.
Earlier in the day, Modi visited Himachal Pradesh to review the flood and landslides situation in the hill state.
While leaving from Delhi for the two neighbouring states, the PM in an X post said: “The Government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with those affected in this tragic hour.”
In Gurdaspur, during his meeting with top Punjab functionaries and public representatives – including Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu – Modi assessed the damage and the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operation. He announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab, in addition to Rs 12,000 crore already available with the state for disaster management. The Centre would also release in advance the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi fund.
Stressing on the need for a multi-dimensional approach for recovery, the PM outlined plans covering housing, roads, education, agriculture, and livestock. These include rebuilding homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and distributing mini kits for livestock. Farmers whose borewells were damaged will receive assistance under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
The PM announced that rural households whose homes were destroyed would be eligible for financial support under a “special project” of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin. The construction and repair of recharge structures to strengthen water harvesting would also be prioritised under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari programme to ensure sustainable water management for the future.
To extend immediate relief, Modi declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. Children orphaned by the floods and landslides will receive long-term care and support under the PM CARES for Children scheme.
Modi also met families affected by the floods and expressed his condolences, assuring them of the central government’s solidarity. “All assistance under disaster management rules is being extended, including advance disbursements to states,” he said.
Flagging the enormity of the calamity, Modi maintained that the Centre would continue to work closely with the state government to ensure that relief and rehabilitation efforts reach every affected citizen.
The PM lauded the efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, Army personnel, state administration, and voluntary organisations for their roles in the rescue and relief operations. He confirmed that the inter-ministerial central teams have been deputed to Punjab to assess the damage, and that further aid will be considered following their report.
The AAP government had earlier urged Modi to announce a relief package of at least Rs 20,000 crore for the state during his visit. On Monday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann – who has been recovering in a hospital in Mohali where he was admitted on September 5 after he complained of exhaustion and low heart rate – said Monday that he hoped that the PM would announce a comprehensive relief package to compensate Punjab and its people for the losses caused by the flood disaster.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar welcomed the PM’s Rs 1,600 crore relief package, calling it “proof” of the Centre’s support to the state amid the current crisis. He said about Rs 12,000 crore was already available to the state through the SDRF, adding that the fund should have been used earlier by the AAP government for basic flood-prevention works like embankment repairs and desilting.
Jakhar also alleged that despite the Centre recently releasing Rs 229 crore for disaster management, the Punjab government failed to use these funds in time, causing “avoidable losses” to the people.
In Himachal Pradesh, PM Modi announced an interim relief of Rs 1,500 crore for the rain-battered state.
He conducted an aerial survey of the affected Himachal areas and then held a meeting in Kangra to review the damage and relief measures. He also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
“Undertook an aerial survey to assess the situation in the wake of flooding and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. We stand firmly with the people in this difficult time and all efforts are being made to ensure continuous support to those affected,” the PM said on X.
In Kangra, Modi held a meeting with Chief Minister and Congress leader Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders, affected families and people engaged in the relief operation, assuring help for rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected areas.
Modi said the financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore will be the advance release of the funds for the SDRF and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
In his presentation to the PM, state chief secretary Prabodh Saxena said, “The state has witnessed 45 cloudbursts, 97 flash floods and 137 landslides during the ongoing monsoon. The worst affected districts in view of loss of infrastructure and human lives are Mandi, Kullu and Chamba.”
The central teams from various ministries have already been dispatched to the state to assess the situation on the ground. Based on their reports and the Himachal government’s memorandum, the Centre would consider extending further assistance to the state.
Modi also met affected families and frontline personnel, including members of the NDRF, SDRF, Army units, and volunteer organisations like Aapda Mitra.
CM Sukhu said, “So far, Himachal Pradesh has suffered a loss of about Rs 5,000 crore. Indeed, PM has announced a relief package of Rs 1500 crore for the state but we have to see whether the announced relief package is a special relief package or a scheme based package. We have been raising a demand to make specific changes in the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in view of this year’s disaster and displaced people. Our government wants to give at least one bigha forest land to each completely displaced family but due to the strict FRA wherein almost 68% of the land of Himachal Pradesh was declared forest, we can’t divert even one bigha land to the people.”
Sukhu said, “We also urged PM Modi to increase our additional borrowing limit to 2%. In our presentation, we stressed on the concept of tunnels instead of long national highways. For instance, Kalka-Shimla railway line was made during British time passing through around 92 tunnels. These tunnels are still standing strong. We also stressed on the alternative routes in the state. PM listened to us very patiently and assured us that he will consider our demands.”
During the current monsoon season, at least 378 lives have been lost in Himachal Pradesh so far due to rain-related incidents. The state has distributed ex-gratia relief of Rs 15.12 crore to the disaster-affected families this year.
CM Sukhu had urged the PM to announce a special relief package for the floods, with the Assembly last month declaring Himachal a natural disaster-hit state.
State Congress president Pratibha Singh said the state’s hopes from the PM remained “unfulfilled”. “The assistance of Rs 1,500 crore is too little. PM, who calls Himachal Pradesh his second home, should extend full support to this home,” she said.
However, BJP leaders – including Leader of Opposition and ex-CM Jai Ram Thakur, state BJP chief Rajiv Bindal and BJP MPs from Kangra and Hamirpur, Rajeev Bhardwaj and Anurag Thakur – lauded PM Modi for announcing a relief package for the state. Jai Ram Thakur said, “The state government should thank PM Modi for Rs 1,500 crore relief package.”