Punjab CM Mann Writes to PM Modi, Urges Release of Rs 60,000 Crore Amid Devastating Floods
CM seeks revision in SDRF norms to pay Rs 50,000 per acre to affected farmers....
Chandigarh: Highlighting Punjab’s severe flood crisis, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 60,000 crore of the state’s pending funds. The CM also requested a revision in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms to adequately compensate farmers for flood-related crop losses.
Punjab is grappling with massive flooding caused by swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets following heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Around 1,000 villages and lakhs of residents are affected.
Flood Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods
Farmland submerged: ~3 lakh acres, mostly paddy fields, just weeks before harvest
Livestock loss: Widespread, impacting rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry
Estimated compensation needs: CM Mann requested at least Rs 50,000 per acre for farmers, citing that the current SDRF norms (Rs 6,800 per acre) are grossly inadequate
Financial Concerns Highlighted
CM Mann stated that Rs 60,000 crore of Punjab’s funds are pending with the Centre, including:
Permanent revenue loss due to GST implementation and VAT transition: Rs 49,727 crore
Reduction in Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Mandi Development Fund (MDF): over Rs 8,000 crore
Scrapping of PMGSY projects: Rs 828 crore, affecting rural connectivity
Mann emphasized that while substantial funds exist in the SDRF, current norms fail to cover real losses for farmers, livestock owners, and vulnerable communities. He highlighted that the state government supplements the compensation, paying Rs 15,000 per acre, but argued that for crops near harvest, Rs 50,000 per acre is necessary.
CM’s Request to the Centre
Immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore of Punjab’s pending funds
Revision of SDRF compensation norms to meet actual losses
State government to continue its 25% contribution under SDRF guidelines
Mann’s letter underscores the urgent need for central support to tackle one of Punjab’s worst flood crises in decades.
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