Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to announce comprehensive relief package for flood-hit Punjab

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to announce a substantial relief package for Punjab, which has been severely hit by recent floods.

Calling the Centre’s initial relief package of Rs 1,600 crore a “grave injustice” to the people of Punjab, Gandhi noted that the state’s estimated losses stand at nearly Rs 20,000 crore.

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“Millions of homes have been destroyed, crops over more than 4 lakh acres have been ruined, and a large number of animals have been swept away,” Gandhi stated.

Asserting that the people of the state weathered the devastation, Gandhi praised the resilience of the people of Punjab, saying, “I am fully confident that they will once again stand Punjab on its feet—they just need support and strength.”

Gandhi’s letter emphasizes the need for a comprehensive relief package to support the affected communities. “Punjab will rise again. In their hour of need, we must reassure every farmer, every soldier, and every family in Punjab that India stands with them. We must come together and extend all possible support to help rebuild their future,” he added.

The floods have caused widespread destruction in Punjab, with over 1,98,525 hectares of crop area affected and 56 lives lost across the state. Gandhi’s visit to the flood-affected areas aimed to assess the situation and interact with affected families.

Gandhi emphasized that the recent floods in Punjab have resulted in significant losses for the state. The estimated losses are pegged at a staggering Rs 20,000 crore, while the initial relief package announced by the Centre stands at Rs 1,600 crore. The floods have caused extensive damage to crops, with over 4 lakh acres of paddy crop destroyed.

Additionally, the livestock sector has suffered heavily, with over 10 lakh animals perishing in the disaster. The floods have affected 2,097 villages across 23 districts in the state, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in their wake.