FURTHER INTENSIFY THE PACE OF RELIEF AND RESCUE MEASURES IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS : PUNJAB CM TO OFFICERS

FURTHER INTENSIFY THE PACE OF RELIEF AND RESCUE MEASURES IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS : PUNJAB CM TO OFFICERS

VISITS FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS IN BEAS, REITERATES THAT STATE GOVERNMENT IS DUTY BOUND TO BAIL OUT PEOPLE FROM CRISIS

SAYS NO DEARTH OF FUNDS FOR RELIEF AND RESCUE WORK IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREA

Beas (Amritsar), August 28 (WISHAVWARTA); Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday asked the Deputy Commissioners of the flood affected districts to further intensify the pace of relief and rescue measures besides providing all necessary material to the families stranded at inundated villages.

The Chief Minister, who conducted the whirlwind tour of the flood affected areas here today, during which he was briefed by the local officials on the damage caused to the standing crops, houses, public installations and livestock due to floods. Describing the situation as unprecedented, he assured of all possible assistance from his government to the people adding that the state government has already started massive relief and rescue work. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is duty bound to bail out the people in this hour of crisis and no stone will be left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister said that the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure the relief and evacuation works in the flood affected districts of Punjab on war footing and no stone should be left unturned for it. He said that the state government is committed for bailing out the people in the flood ravaged districts of the state adding that the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to mobilize all the resources at their disposal to evacuate the people in marooned areas and immediately provide relief to them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all the departments across the districts have been asked to work in unison to ensure that people get maximum relief in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister said that all the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure supply of food, drinking water, shelter and medicines to all the affected people besides asking the Animal Husbandry department to provide the necessary fodder and medicines for the livestock in the affected areas on priority. He said that funds have been already issued to the flood affected districts for relief adding that more money, whenever and wherever required, will be allocated to the districts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there is no dearth of funds with the state government for this noble cause as the state government is working with missionary zeal to bail out the people.

Reiterating his resolve to extend all possible assistance to the families to combat the situation arising out of massive floods in the state, the Chief Minister said that he is personally monitoring the situation to take stock of relief, rescue and evacuation operations. He said that massive efforts are being made to plug the breaches besides ensuring dewatering of waterlogged areas at the earliest in order to provide relief to the residents of these areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Health Department has been asked to ensure requisite stock of medicines to contain the outbreak of water-borne diseases in the districts facing severe crisis due to floods.

The Chief Minister categorically said that the Animal Husbandry Department has been asked to provide adequate supply of medicines and fodder for the livestock in the affected areas. He said a special Girdawari will be conducted as soon as the water level recedes to ensure adequate compensation for the affected people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will compensate the people for the loss of every single penny incurred by them due to the floods.

The Chief Minister said that human life is most important due to which every effort is being made to safeguard it adding that the state government is duty bound to ensure that people do not face any sort of inconvenience. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to bail out people in flood affected areas, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is regularly monitoring the situation unfolding in the state due to the natural disaster. He said that the state government is solidly with the people in hour of distress and they are being provided succor by all means.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that people should not panic as the state government is there to serve them by keeping a regular tab on the situation arising in the aftermath of the incessant rains across the state. He said that it is a natural calamity and will be combated well with the fulsome support and cooperation of one and all adding that the state government is with the people of Punjab in this hour of crisis and no stone will be left unturned for bailing out the people from this situation. Bhagwant Singh Mann appealed to the people to not worry about anything as the state government is already making concerted efforts to normalise the situation.

The Chief Minister said that he is personally reviewing the situation every minute and from every corner of the state. He said that heavy downpour of water is beyond the control of any individual but every effort is being made to ensure that people do not face any sort of inconvenience. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that already all the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and the officers are in their respective areas and reaching out to the needy people in this hour of grave crisis.