CABINET MINISTER SITS WITH ELDERLY WOMEN ON COT, SHARES TEA AND ASSURES EVERY POSSIBLE SUPPORT FROM PUNJAB GOVERNMENT
Kapurthala News: Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today informed that nearly 1200 residents from 250 families, out of 800 flood-affected houses, have been shifted to safer places by the district administration.
Reviewing the situation today at village Kammewal and Baguval, the Cabinet Minister said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is extending every possible support to the people in this hour of crisis and relief operations are being carried out on a war-footing.
“Around 800 houses in Kapurthala district have been impacted by the floods and constant appeals are being made to residents to move to safer places”, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that despite the emotional attachment to their homes, several people are unwilling to leave. Considering their concerns, the Punjab Government has ensured supply of food, clean drinking water, medicines and fodder for cattle through 15 boats operating round the clock. Families who agree to the appeal are being shifted to designated relief camps, he added.
The district administration, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said, is leaving no stone unturned to assist every affected household.
The Cabinet Minister informed that water levels have receded slightly with a reduction of 26,000 cusecs today and normalcy is expected to return soon. He further said that on people’s demand, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, repellant creams and other essential items are being provided on priority. The Health Department is extending medical facilities while the Animal Husbandry Department is attending to the treatment of livestock.
Urging families to move to the relief camps without delay, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian assured that the government has made adequate arrangements not only for their food and shelter but also for their cattle.
During his visit, the Cabinet Minister sat with elderly women on cots, shared tea and interacted with them, assuring that the Punjab Government would make every possible effort for their welfare. The elderly women lauded the sincere efforts of the government for protecting lives and property, saying, “it was for the first time that a government had taken concrete measures on the ground to safeguard flood-affected people.”
Village elder Surinder Singh expressed satisfaction over the relief operations, stating that the administration officials have been constantly available and have mingled with the villagers like family members.
The villagers asked for the supply of seeds and fertilizers on priority for vegetable cultivation after the floods. Acting on this, the Cabinet Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure availability of seeds and fertilizers at the earliest.
Prominent amongst others who were present included Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, Improvement Trust Chairman Sajjan Singh Cheema, SSP Gaurav Toora, Science and Technology Board Member Kanwar Iqbal Singh, SDM Major Ervin Kaur and others.
