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2h ago

Modi Unveils ₹3,100 Crore Flood Aid for Punjab and Himachal, Faces Punjab Backlash

Questions over delivery channels persist, with aid tied to ex-gratia and advance releases from existing schemes.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with flood-affected people in Gurdaspur. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets flood-affected farmers in Gurudaspur on Tuesday. (PMO)

Overview

  • The package allocates ₹1,600 crore to Punjab and ₹1,500 crore to Himachal Pradesh, alongside ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
  • Himachal’s share is framed as an advance release under the State Disaster Response Fund and PM Kisan, while the Punjab amount is described as additional to ₹12,000 crore already cited by the Centre.
  • Modi conducted aerial surveys, met affected families and NDRF/SDRF teams, and outlined sectoral steps covering housing (PM Awas), school repairs (Samagra Shiksha), water recharge works (Jal Sanchay), and farm support via RKVY, micro‑irrigation and solar pumps.
  • Punjab’s AAP government, Congress and farmer unions called the ₹1,600 crore insufficient, pressed for larger relief and direct transfers, and sought clarity on whether funds are special assistance or scheme-linked.
  • Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said the ₹1,600 crore is token assistance and that more funds will follow after assessments, which central teams are currently conducting.