The problem is worst in Nihala Lavera, Dheera Ghara, Talli Gulam, Kaluwala, Tandiwala, Bhane Wali Basti, and Navi Gatti Rajo Ke. Mandeep Kaur of Dheera Ghara said she never imagined Punjab, the land of five rivers, would see people survive only on bottled water.

Health Minister Balbir Singh visited the flood-hit areas. He urged villagers to boil water, use chlorine tablets, and drink ORS-mixed water to avoid disease. He told health officials to send safe drinking water without delay.

Village leaders say no water tanks have reached them yet. Gurjant Singh, sarpanch of Nihala Lavera, asked the government to install RO systems in affected villages. Malkeet Singh of Kaluwala warned that borewell and handpump water is unsafe, putting residents at serious risk.

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Earlier, he met affected families in Ghonewal and Gurchak villages of Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. When police stopped him from crossing the river, Gandhi questioned their decision. A viral video showed him asking: “You are telling me you cannot keep me safe on Indian territory? Is it not India?”

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa accompanied him. Gandhi argued that the Leader of Opposition should not be stopped from meeting his people.

The restriction sparked strong reactions in the Congress camp. Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi called it “unfortunate.” Warring asked if Indians were unsafe even on their own soil. Senior leader Partap Singh Bajwa accused the AAP government of using “political excuses” to avoid accountability.

Congress leaders also criticized both AAP and BJP for ignoring border villagers. They said flood victims need support, not excuses.

The episode has turned into a political controversy, highlighting anger over poor relief efforts in flood-hit Punjab.

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State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said farmers have suffered long-term damage as both crops and soil were destroyed. He warned that without quick payments, the relief could become “another hoax.” He added that losses stand at about Rs 50,000 per acre, and damp soil will prevent wheat sowing for months. Farmers will also need more fertilisers to restore productivity.

Warring further accused the government of ignoring livestock losses worth lakhs. Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa rejected the AAP claim of granting the “highest-ever” relief, calling it false.

AICC Secretary Pargat Singh described the announced aid as “a drop in the ocean.” He demanded Rs 50,000 per acre for crops, Rs 1 lakh per acre for sugarcane, and a three-month waiver of VAT on diesel. He also criticised the Rs 4 lakh relief for families of flood victims as inadequate.

The post Congress Calls Punjab Flood Relief “Meagre” appeared first on India Podcast.

Sisodia said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has agreed to bring a policy on this issue. Mann, who is in a Mohali hospital, will allow farmers to extract sand without delay. “If sand remains in the fields, crops will not grow,” Sisodia said.

He added that farmers will also be free to sell the sand. This will give them an extra source of income while recovering from crop losses.

Sisodia also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the “pending” ₹60,000 crore relief fund. He said Punjab needs urgent financial support. Modi is visiting the flood-hit state on September 9, and Sisodia hopes the Centre will announce strong measures for the people.

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Badal rode a tractor to reach Sarangpur Fasse, Daudarpur, and Bela Chowk, where bundh strengthening is underway. He met farmers, encouraged them, and gave aid. At Sarangpur Fasse, he handed over ₹2 lakh in cash to the village committee. Another ₹2 lakh was provided in Daudarpur for gabion construction. He also gave 1,000 liters of diesel and promised 5,000 liters more. In addition, he assured that 500 Akali workers would join locals in strengthening the bundh.

Calling the floods “manmade,” Badal said they had destroyed livelihoods while governments released no financial aid. He saluted villagers for showing sewa and keeping Punjab’s spirit alive.

At Bela Chowk, he criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not carrying out flood protection works despite a June review meeting. He also regretted that the Centre had not provided relief or rehabilitation funds, leaving Punjabis to face the crisis on their own.

The post Sukhbir Badal Aids Chamkaur Sahib Villages with Cash and Diesel appeared first on India Podcast.

He visited flood-hit villages and said farmers need permanent rights to government land. With these rights, they can claim compensation after natural disasters. Kataria stressed that those who till land for decades deserve security and support.

At MES Inspection Bungalow, he met officials to review relief work. Later, he went to the India-Pakistan Joint Check Post at Hussainiwala, now fully submerged. There, he interacted with families affected by floods.

Farmers told him they had cultivated government land for generations. Earlier, their names were part of the “girdawari” (cultivation record). That entry was removed from revenue papers. As a result, they lost eligibility for compensation despite heavy losses.

They recalled facing the same problem during the 2023 floods but receiving no relief. Kataria promised to fight for their rights. He assured them he would press the state government to provide fair treatment and lasting protection.

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