State government’s compensation package and sand scheme spark political controversy as Congress demands higher relief.
CHANDIGARH – The death toll from the devastating floods in Punjab has risen to 51, with three new fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, officials confirmed on Monday. The floods, considered the worst in recent history, have impacted over 3.87 lakh people across 15 districts and submerged a staggering 1.84 lakh hectares of crops, primarily paddy.
In a bid to provide relief, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved a compensation package that includes ₹20,000 per acre for crop losses. The government also introduced a unique scheme, ‘Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret’ (the one who owns the farm, owns the sand), which allows farmers to extract and sell sand and silt deposited in their fields by floodwaters. The scheme aims to help farmers clear their land and potentially earn an income from the sand, which is a valuable construction material.
The government’s relief measures have been met with sharp criticism from the Opposition. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring rejected the compensation as “meagre” and demanded a higher amount of ₹50,000 per acre. He argued that the damage extends beyond just crops, affecting the soil’s fertility and making it unfit for upcoming sowing seasons.
“This is not ordinary damage that can be compensated with ₹20,000 per acre,” Warring said, also raising concerns about the lack of compensation for livestock and housing losses. He warned that delays in the transfer of funds could render the government’s announcement “another AAP hoax.”
Warring also slammed the ‘Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret’ scheme, stating that it passes the government’s responsibility onto the farmers and could be exploited by the sand mafia. He believes the farmers, who are already struggling, may not be able to earn anything from the scheme.
Despite the political row, officials confirmed that floodwaters have begun to recede in several affected villages. So far, over 23,000 people have been evacuated, with 123 relief camps operational to shelter the displaced. As the state works to recover from the disaster, the debate over the adequacy of the relief package continues to be a central political issue.
