PUNJAB GOVT PRESSING AHEAD WITH RELIEF AND RESCUE OPERATIONS IN FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS
*CABINET MINISTERS AND MLAs TAKE DIRECT CHARGE OF RELIEF OPERATIONS*
*OVER 3200 RATION KITS, 45000 WATER BOTTLES, 17000 FOOD PACKETS DISTRIBUTED IN FLOOD-HIT DISTRICTS*
*700 QUINTALS OF DRY FODDER AND 1450 FEED BAGS SUPPLIED; MEDICAL TEAMS CONDUCT HEALTH CHECKUPS OF AFFECTED PEOPLE*
*KATARUCHAK REVIEWS DAMAGE IN BHOA CONSTITUENCY; MUNDIAN VISITS FLOOD-HIT AREAS OF SULTANPUR LODHI; DR. BALBIR SINGH FLAGS OFF RELIEF TRUCKS; BHULLAR DISTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES IN TARN TARAN; SOND PROVIDES RELIEF IN FAZILKA AND URGES PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD FOR SUPPORT*
Chandigarh, August 29 (WISHAVWARTA):- Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has been carrying out relief and rescue operations on a war-footing to deal with the unprecedented flood situation caused by heavy rains. Punjab Cabinet Ministers and local MLAs are personally reaching flood-affected areas to lead and support the district administration as well as extend aid to the people. Relief in the form of food, fodder for cattle, medicines and other essential supplies is being delivered to the affected families.
Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today visited villages Bamial and Narot Jaimal Singh in Bhoha constituency to review the damages. He assured the people that the state government stands firmly with them in this hour of crisis and that compensation will be given for all losses suffered during the floods. He also said that special girdawari will soon be carried out to assess the damage to houses and crops and adequate financial assistance will be provided.
Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian visited flood-hit areas of Sultanpur Lodhi including villages Kammewal and Baguwal. He met affected families, listened to their hardships and distributed tarpaulins, mosquito nets, ration kits and other essentials.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh flagged off relief trucks for flood-affected areas in the presence of the Mayor, Chairman and other dignitaries.
Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar personally supervised relief distribution in flood-affected villages near Tarn Taran and assured the people that compensation will be released promptly after damage assessment.
Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited flood-hit Gulaba Bhaini village and nearby hamlets in Fazilka constituency. He distributed relief material to affected families besides dispatching a truck carrying feed from Khanna for livestock assistance. Earlier, he reviewed the detailed report from the district administration and instructed that all forms of government aid must reach the people without any delay.
Complying with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Sri Muktsar Sahib district administration dispatched two relief trucks from the District Administrative Complex, flagged off by MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar. The trucks carried nearly 1000 ration kits for flood-affected families in Fazilka district containing wheat flour, tea, sugar, pulses, edible oil and other essential daily-use items.
The Amritsar district administration, with support from the Red Cross, distributed 45,000 water bottles and more than 17,000 food packets. Besides this, the Animal Husbandry Department in collaboration with Punjab Agro supplied 100 quintals of dry fodder and 850 feed bags of 50 kg each. Veterinary doctors were deployed at various sites for free treatment of livestock. Three relief centres have been set up at Ajnala to provide food and shelter to around 3000 people. Dedicated helpline numbers have also been issued. Medical teams along with ambulances and medicines have been stationed for the affected population.
In Mansa district, 163 people have been accommodated in the relief centre at village Khattriwala, Budhlada. Fodder and medicines have also been arranged for livestock.
In Barnala district, MLA Labh Singh Ugoke dispatched 1000 ration kits for Ferozepur. In village Wajidke Khurd, where many kachha houses are located, a temporary relief camp was established at the local Dharamshala. Six Rapid Response Teams of the Health Department were deployed in Barnala, Tapa, Dhanaula, Mehal Kalan, Bhadaur besides deploying two mobile teams for health services in Barnala and Dhanaula.
In Kapurthala district, 240 families were evacuated from floodwater and 1250 ration kits were distributed. Livestock fodder including 600 quintals of silage and 300 quintals of feed was also provided. Four relief camps are operational in the district. Eight medical teams examined 1379 individuals while four ambulances have been stationed to deal with emergencies.
