Amritsar has received Rs. 1.50 crore, while Bathinda has been granted Rs. 1 crore

CHANDIGARH: In response to the worsening flood situation in Punjab, the Goods, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, has authorized the release of Rs 33.50 crore to the Deputy Commissioners. Acting under the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, this advance fund has been allocated from the relief fund to aid in the management of the flood crisis and provide much-needed relief to affected individuals, including loss of human lives, property, and livestock.

Expressing the Punjab government's commitment to supporting the affected people during this challenging period, Minister Zimpa highlighted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's assurance that comprehensive assistance would be provided. In accordance with the Chief Minister's directives, the allotted amount has been transferred to the accounts of the Deputy Commissioners.

The breakdown of relief funds allocated to different districts is as follows: Amritsar has received Rs. 1.50 crore, while Bathinda, Barnala, and Faridkot have each been granted Rs. 1 crore. Ferozepur and Fazilka have been allocated Rs. 1.50 crore each, and Fatehgarh Sahib has received Rs. 1 crore.

Additional relief funds include Rs. 1.50 crore for Gurdaspur, Rs. 1 crore for Hoshiarpur, and Rs. 2 crore each for Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Ludhiana. Moga has been allocated Rs. 1.50 crore, while Mansa, Malerkotla, and Pathankot have each received Rs. 1 crore. Patiala has been granted Rs. 2 crore, and Rupnagar district has received Rs. 2.50 crore.

Furthermore, Shri Muktsar Sahib, S.A.S. Nagar, and S.B.S. Nagar have been allocated Rs. 2 crore, Rs. 1 crore, and Rs. 1 crore respectively. Sangrur has received Rs. 1.50 crore, and Tarn Taran has been granted Rs. 2 crore.

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring transparent distribution of relief funds, Minister Zimpa informed that the Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to transfer the payments to the intended beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer method, utilizing their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. This measure is designed to prevent any misuse of the relief amount.

Minister Zimpa reassured the people of Punjab that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the state government is fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the residents affected by this natural calamity.

The release of Rs 33.50 crore serves as a significant step toward mitigating the devastating effects of the floods in Punjab. The government's prompt response and strategic allocation of relief funds will help alleviate the suffering of the affected communities and contribute to their recovery.