By Prachi Mishra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected the flood-hit areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh following heavy rains, floods, and landslides hitting both States.
While in Punjab, the Prime Minister undertook an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas before alighting at Gurdaspur, where he chaired a review meeting with State leaders and members of the public.
Attending the meeting were Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. Modi also met with flood-displaced families.
Subsequent to the review, he declared a relief package of ₹1,600 crore for Punjab. On top of the existing ₹12,000 crore with the state government in the form of disaster management funds. The Centre will also disburse the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi payment prematurely for timely relief.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister had been to Himachal Pradesh, which has been hard hit by landslides and flash floods. There, he announced ₹1,500 crore as aid to aid rescue, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
Placing stress on multi-dimensional recovery, Modi indicated that not only would the prime focus be on relief but on long-term rebuilding too. He spoke of how damaged homes would be rebuilt under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, national highways and other major roads would be restored, and schools would be rebuilt under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Farmers who had their borewells devastated will be assisted under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, while cattle farmers will be given mini kits for recovery.
The Prime Minister asserted that the Centre is with the people of both states and ensured that every assistance will be provided to revive normalcy at the earliest.