Communist Party of India Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the immediate release of a special relief package for Punjab, which has been severely affected by unprecedented floods.
Kumar, who recently visited the flood-affected villages of Fazilka district, described the scale of destruction as “overwhelming,” with entire stretches of farmland submerged, crops destroyed, cattle perished, and homes reduced to rubble.
“The sheer scale of this disaster far outstrips the relief currently available,” Kumar said in his letter, emphasizing the need for the Union Government’s immediate and decisive intervention. He praised the efforts of the SDRF, NDRF, Indian Army, and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to provide aid to affected families.
Kumar urged the Centre to release substantial relief funds beyond routine allocations to cover the full extent of crop and cattle losses, destruction of homes, and rehabilitation of displaced families.
He said that a comprehensive package is needed to prepare for the next cropping season, including the supply of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs at subsidized rates.
Kumar emphasized the importance of strengthening health services to avert epidemics and restoring schools and public utilities.
The floods have affected several districts in Punjab, including Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa, and Patiala, with lakhs of people vulnerable to hunger, disease, and displacement.
“The sheer scale of this disaster far outstrips the relief currently available,” Kumar said in his letter, emphasizing the need for the Union Government’s immediate and decisive intervention. He praised the efforts of the SDRF, NDRF, Indian Army, and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to provide aid to affected families.