NODAL CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS DEPUTED TO AID IN FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RELIEF OPERATIONS: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN

2303 FLOOD-HIT VILLAGES IDENTIFIED FOR REHABILITATION AND ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE

REVENUE MINISTER DIRECTS DCs AND SDMs TO EXTEND FULL COOPERATION TO NODAL REPRESENTATIVES

Chandigarh, September 14:Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today informed that the state government has deputed nodal chairmen and members to assist in the assessment of flood damage and ensure effective execution of relief and rehabilitation works across the state.

The Cabinet Minister said that the unprecedented floods have caused massive destruction in Punjab. In view of this, the government has identified 2303 villages that require urgent support for basic relief measures and resettlement. For this purpose, nodal representatives have been appointed, who will work in close coordination with district administrations and designated nodal gazetted officers.

“These chairmen and members will supervise distribution of relief material, assist in assessing crop loss, damage to houses and livestock and facilitate timely claims of affected families so that compensation and assistance are provided without any delay,” said the Revenue Minister.

Highlighting the government’s seriousness towards rehabilitation, S. Mundian added that flood victims not only need immediate relief but also medical camps, livelihood support and resettlement facilities. He underlined that the nodal appointees will function as the supporting arm of the state government in the villages, ensuring quick medical assistance, sanitation drives and restoration of essential services, while also working to make livelihood options available for the displaced families.

The Revenue Minister directed all the Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Authorities to extend full cooperation to the nodal representatives by sharing relevant data and resources, enabling smooth coordination at the village level.

S. Mundian reaffirmed that these appointments are a clear signal of the Punjab Government’s firm resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with every citizen during this challenging time, with a commitment to support, rehabilitate and rebuild the lives of all flood-affected people.

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ULBs to ensure cleanliness drive, supply of potable water, assessment of damage to properties: Dr Ravjot Singh

* Special ten-day cleanliness drive kicks off today in flood and rain affected areas

* Survey to be carried out to assess damage to properties, public assets or private property including houses, shops

* Directs to depute Nodal Officers in each city for assisting Commissioners or EOs to coordinate relief & restoration efforts

Chandigarh, September 14:Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today said that a notification had been issued for measures to be taken by the Urban Local Bodies in view of recent floods in the State.

The Minister stated that the these measures included cleanliness, potable water supply, preventive health related interventions to ensure restoration of normalcy in the towns of the State. He stated that the requisite directions had been given to all Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, all Additional Deputy Commissioners (Urban Development/General) and all Executive Officers of Municipal Councils/ Nagar Panchayats across the state to take the task on mission mode.

Amid the severe inundation and water logging issues due to floods in the rivers Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Ghaggar as well as their tributaries and heavy rains, the Minister pointed out that the one of the major tasks was to ensure cleanliness. He said that silt or sand along with other debris would be collected in towns where inundation had occurred. The State Government has decided to initiate a Special drive for cleanliness of such silt/debris as well as road gullies/ city drains by ULBs by deploying the existing workforce as well as designating special teams/ fatigues, he added. The ULBs will make a roster for deployment of teams in the identified affected areas, where a ten-day special drive from September 14 to September 23 would be initiated.

The notification also mandates that a detailed advisory from Health & Family Welfare Department had already been given for healthcare services in these areas. Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the authorities concerned had also been directed to carry out a survey of damaged property, public assets or private property including houses, shops etc. This survey would be undertaken forthwith through the engineering staff in line with the instructions of the Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management department. The reports in this regard will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioners of the district for onward transmission to the State Government for relief/compensation, said the Minister.

Similarly, the Repair and Restoration of Damaged Property will also be ensured as the State Government has also given direction in this regard. The notification envisaged that the steps would be initiated forthwith to undertake repair of any affected water supply schemes, street lights, STPs, damaged roads (through urgent patchwork), etc. The Director said that proper repair of damaged roads/potholes may be initiated only after the end of the monsoon season though temporary filling may be done forthwith.

It was also directed to all concerned authorities to make a foolproof Implementation Mechanism to enlist and prioritize all the required measures to get the work done in a given time frame. The authorities would fix timeline for each work and depute designated officer besides ensuring transparency and maintain before-and-after photographs of all works.

The State Government has also made it clear that the proposed measures would be properly disseminated to the residents of towns/cities to help affected person/areas. Participation of local youth clubs, NGOs and various social organisations could be solicited for community mobilisation, stipulated the notification. The Nodal Officers should be appointed for different zones of the city, especially in the case of larger towns. The names and telephone numbers of respective Nodal Officers in each city who will be assisting the Commissioner or EO in coordinating the relief and restoration efforts could be shared with residents. Active support and assistance of PESCO ex-servicemen deployed across various ULBs should also be sought for purposes of reporting and verification of relief/restoration work undertaken by the respective teams.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Director Kulwant Singh mentioned that the Commissioners will be responsible for all the restoration works in their respective Municipal Corporations. Likewise, the ADCs (Urban Development/General) of the district will exercise close supervision on both the reporting of damages to public and private property as well as the above said works being undertaken by the respective Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in their district.

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5-Day Intensive Drive to Restore All Flood-Hit Mandis in Punjab

• Make operational all flood affected Mandis by September 19, Gurmeet Khudian to DMOs

Chandigarh, September 14:In a bid ensure a seamless and hassle-free paddy procurement for farmers, the Punjab Government has initiated a special five-day campaign to restore all grain markets (mandis) affected by recent floods. The drive aims to clear stagnant water and silt deposits, ensuring all mandis are fully operational for the Kharif Procurement Season, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

Divulging details, S. Khudian stated that the intensive campaign, Commencing from Sunday, focuses on flood-affected districts where mandis suffered water-logging and siltation. He directed the Punjab Mandi Board officials and all District Mandi Officers (DMOs) to personally oversee the efforts and ensure that all impacted mandis are fully restored and operational by September 19, 2025.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has been taking every possible step to safeguard the interests of our farmers, said S. Khudian. “Our state machinery is fully prepared for the season, we are acutely aware of the challenges posed by the recent floods. This special drive underscores our resolve to ensure that not a single farmer faces inconvenience in selling their produce. Every necessary step is being taken to protect the livelihood of our farmers and ensure efficient procurement.”

The Agriculture Minister informed that all preliminary arrangements have been successfully completed across the state's grain markets for smooth Kharif procurement season commencing on September 16, 2025. The State government is committed to providing a seamless experience to farmers, including timely procurement and immediate payment, he added.

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PUNJAB ROLLS OUT COMPREHENSIVE & TIME BOUND ACTION PLAN TO PROTECT LIVESTOCK FROM FLOOD AFTERMATH

• Administer free booster doses of HS vaccine to all susceptible livestock by September 30, Gurmeet Khudian directs officials

• Multi-pronged campaign focuses on mass inoculation, disinfection, emergency care & nutritional feed to support distressed livestock farmers

• Entire veterinary machinery pressed into service in mission mode to protect backbone of our rural economy, says Khudian

Chandigarh , September 14:In a decisive response to protect the state's vital livestock population from the devastating aftermath of recent floods, the Punjab Animal Husbandry department has rolled out a comprehensive & time-bound Action Plan to mitigate the severe risks including waterborne diseases, foot-rot and parasitic infections. Notably, these floods have impacted 2.53 lakh animals across 713 villages.

Revealing the comprehensive action plan, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the department has chalk out the action plan to protect the livestock from stagnant flood water-borne diseases including Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), Foot-Rot, Mastitis, Tick-Borne infection, Skin infection, Gastroenteritis and secondary infections & nutritional shortages. The multi-pronged campaign focusing on mass vaccination, disinfection and emergency care to support distressed livestock farmers.

“Our livestock is the backbone of our rural economy. In the wake of this natural calamity, we are committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers,” stated S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, while adding that this is not just a relief effort; it is a critical mission to prevent epidemic outbreaks and ensure the health and productivity of millions of animals, thereby securing the livelihoods of our farmers. We are deploying our entire veterinary machinery in campaign mode to leave no animal or farmer behind.

Highlighting the key components of the Action Plan, S. Khudian said that intensive cleaning and disinfection of all affected livestock shelters and feeding areas will be undertaken under Rapid Clean-Up & Disinfection drive and Large-scale fogging operations in collaboration with Local Government Departments to control vector-borne diseases. The department will also distribute Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) crystals to farmers free of cost for disinfecting water troughs and creating foot-dips to prevent fatal infections like Foot-Rot. All these measures will be implemented by September 21, 2025.

Under the Emergency Vaccination Protocol, the Animal Husbandry department teams will administer free booster doses of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) vaccine to all susceptible livestock by September 30. Additionally, doorstep health monitoring and treatment services will be provided to ensure the well-being of animals. Teams of veterinary officers and para-staff are conducting daily village visits to monitor animals for signs of stress, injuries and disease symptoms to ensure prompt intervention and care, he added.

The Animal Husbandry Minister said that the department will also distribute essential medicines, mineral mixtures (Uromin Licks), and silage free of cost to combat nutritional deficiencies and disease, while ensuring supply and distribution of chlorine tablets with coordination of the Health Department to ensure access to safe drinking water for animals.

Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Mr. Rahul Bhandari informed that a robust monitoring framework has also been established, featuring a special Post-Flood Monitoring Team headed by the Director of Animal Husbandry. Deputy Directors in the affected districts are responsible for ground-level execution and are required to submit daily progress reports for review. To ensure efficacy and transparency, random physical checks of 20% of reported sites will be conducted daily. He also directed the field staff that these efforts be extended to all flood-affected villages based on local assessment, beyond the initially identified 713 villages.

He further informed that special awareness and treatment camps are being organised in all affected villages in coordination with local panchayats and NGOs to deliver aid directly at livestock farmers' doorsteps.

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HEALTH MINISTER MOBILIZES ALL RESOURCES FOR WAR ON FLOOD-BORNE DISEASES

— Directs Deployment of Diverse Medical Army, from Ayurveda Doctors to MBBS Interns, for Massive Campaign in 2303 Villages

— Special Health Drive in 2303 Villages commenced; Focus on Medical Camps, Door-to-Door Visits & Fumigation: Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh

CHANDIGARH, September 14:To protect the health of citizens in the flood-ravaged areas of the state, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh issued orders for a massive mobilization of the state’s entire medical fraternity, directing the deployment of all available resources—including government doctors, private volunteers, Ayurveda medical officers, and MBBS interns—to spearhead a ‘Special Health Campaign’ in 2303 flood-affected villages from Sunday.

The Minister has mandated that Civil Surgeons engage every possible medical professional to man health camps and door-to-door teams, ensuring no village is left without healthcare and preventive care to stave off disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the floods.

The special campaign is being implemented across all 2303 villages adversely affected by the recent unprecedented floods, with the primary objective of preventing outbreaks of vector-borne, waterborne, and communicable diseases.

"The well-being of our people is our topmost priority. In the aftermath of this calamity, we are launching a comprehensive, multi-layered health intervention to ensure no one is left without access to medical care and preventive measures,” said Dr Balbir Singh.

Elaborating on the strategy, the Health Minister said the campaign is built on three core components, with first being Health & Medical Camps under which daily medical camps will be organised in all 2303 villages. In 596 villages with existing health facilities like Aam Aadmi Clinics, these centres will host the camps daily. In the remaining 1707 villages, camps will be set up in public spaces like schools and community centres for a minimum of three days, extendable based on need.

The second is Door-to-Door Visits by ASHA Workers under which A force of over 11,103 ASHA workers will conduct weekly house-to-house visits in these villages to distribute essential health kits containing mosquito repellent, ORS, paracetamol, chlorine tablets, soap, and other supplies, he said, while adding that they will also screen for illnesses and raise awareness about disease prevention.

As part of the last component, a rigorous fumigation and vector-control exercise will be carried out every day for the next 21 days in all affected villages. Teams will conduct indoor and outdoor fogging, larvicidal spraying, and breeding checks in households, schools, markets, and other public places to prevent outbreaks of dengue and malaria.

The campaign will be supported by a robust fleet of over 550 ambulances, including 180 government ambulances and 254 arranged through the Indian Medical Association, to strengthen health services and patient access.

Dr Balbir Singh stated that the department has identified 85 essential drugs and 23 consumables for flood relief, which are in sufficient stock and will be made available at all health camps and facilities. Districts have also been empowered to procure any required items locally to avoid delays, he said.

“This is a race against time to safeguard public health. I urge all departments, NGOs, charitable institutions, and the community to join hands with our health teams. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, we are committed to working tirelessly until the situation is fully normalised and every citizen is safe,” the Minister affirmed.

The Civil Surgeons and Block Senior Medical Officers have been entrusted with the robust supervision and implementation of the campaign in their respective districts.

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GURDASPUR UNIVERSITY RAISES ₹3.5 LAKH FOR FLOOD RELIEF

• Presents cheque to EM Harjot Bains for CM Flood Relief Fund

Chandigarh, September 14:In a heartening display of solidarity and civic responsibility, Sardar Beant Singh State University (SBSSU) Gurdaspur, made a substantial contribution of Rs 3,50,000 to the Punjab Chief Minister Flood Relief Fund to bolster ongoing flood relief efforts across the state.

A university delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Dr. S.K. Mishra, called on Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains and presented a cheque for the flood relief fund. The delegation comprised key officials, including the Registrar, Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Planning & Development and Assistant Registrar.

The contribution was raised through the voluntary participation of the university’s faculty and staff, who generously donated one day’s salary to aid those affected by the recent devastating floods in Punjab.

Commending the initiative, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “In this challenging time, the gesture by Sardar Beant Singh State University stands as a powerful testament to the spirit of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ and collective responsibility. This contribution, emerging from the compassion of its faculty and staff, reaffirming the vital role of academia in building a resilient and compassionate society.”

Dr. S.K. Mishra emphasised the university’s commitment to social causes, saying, “We hope our effort inspires more organisations and citizens to step forward and support the flood-affected families rebuilding their lives.”

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Punjab Government Launches Massive Rural Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Drive: Sond

- Debris clearance and carcass disposal in all affected villages to be completed by 24 September

Chandigarh, September 14:Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond informed that the Punjab Government has launched a comprehensive flood relief and rehabilitation programme across rural Punjab to address the extensive damage caused by recent floods in more than 2,300 villages. The drive will focus on immediate relief, restoration of essential infrastructure, and transparent execution of works.

The Minister informed that under the able leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Government is creating a dedicated Rs 100 crore corpus fund to exclusively support flood-related relief and rehabilitation activities. As CM announced earlier that, to initiate urgent works, Rs 1 lakh will be released to each Gram Panchayat, enabling them to begin tasks such as removal of silt and debris from village streets and the safe disposal of dead livestock. Expenditure limits have also been prescribed, Rs 3 lakh for Gram Panchayats with a population up to 2,000 and Rs 5 lakh for Gram Panchayats with a population above 2,000.

Sond underlined the scale of devastation, noting that floods have left behind large volumes of silt and debris, caused significant livestock loss, and damaged public infrastructure including anganwadis, schools, cremation grounds, community centres, and ponds. In response, the Government has fixed strict timelines for execution: debris clearance and carcass disposal must be completed by 24th September 2025, minor repairs to community assets must be finished before 15th October 2025, and desilting of ponds must be completed by 22nd October 2025.

To prevent the outbreak of diseases, the Minister directed that intensive fumigation and fogging operations be carried out in all affected areas. Up to five fogging machines per Panchayat Samiti will be deployed for effective coverage, and the Health Department has been asked to ensure adequate medical support.

For transparency and accountability, special Gram Sabha meetings will be held in every affected village to finalize the works. These meetings will identify the most urgent needs and approve specific works. Before-and-after photographs will be maintained for all projects, and once works are completed, another Gram Sabha will be convened to review expenditure and confirm completion.

Implementation will be overseen at multiple levels. Village Committees headed by Sarpanches will carry out the works, ensuring full community participation. Deputy Commissioners (Development) will monitor progress on a fortnightly basis and submit detailed reports to the State Headquarters. A dedicated Monitoring Cell has been established at the State Headquarters to supervise the overall execution of this programme.

Sond emphasized that transparency and people’s participation will be central to this drive. He appealed to NGOs, youth clubs, and welfare organizations to actively support the Government’s efforts in relief and rehabilitation.

Reassuring the people of Punjab, the Minister said, “Rs 100 crore corpus will be utilized with complete transparency, accountability, and urgency. Every rupee will go directly towards the welfare of flood-affected villagers. Timely execution, strict monitoring, and active community participation will ensure that our rural population recovers quickly from this natural calamity.”

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AMAN ARORA INAUGURATES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND BUS STAND WITH INTEGRATED SPORTS FACILITY IN SUNAM'S CHEEMA MANDI

• Bus Stand constructed with ₹5.06-CR at Cheema town

• Pioneering bus stand model designed to maximise public utility & empower youth, says Aman Arora

Chandigarh/ Sunam, September 14:–In a first-of-its-kind infrastructure development in the state, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab President, Mr. Aman Arora, brought a visionary initiative to life with the inauguration of Multi-Utility Bus Stand in Cheema town of Sunam Assembly Constituency.

Notably, this innovative facility, the brainchild of Mr. Aman Arora, is the first in the state to seamlessly integrate public transportation with a dedicated sports complex.

After dedicating the facility to the public, Mr. Aman Arora stated that the state-of-the-art bus stand, built at a cost of Rs 5.06 crore, sprawling covered area of 16,555 square feet, redefining the infrastructure as a vibrant community hub that goes beyond a mere transportation facility.

"This pioneering bus stand model, integrated with sports facilities, is designed to maximise public utility and empower our youth," said Mr. Aman Arora. He emphasised that development should be multi-dimensional, and this project embodies that vision. It's a testament to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's commitment to innovative, people-centric policies that cater to diverse community needs under one roof," he added.

Mr. Aman Arora further said that the ground floor of the facility is designed for efficient transit and commerce. It features six dedicated bus counters and a spacious waiting hall, providing a comfortable experience for passengers. Additionally, six commercial shops have been incorporated to foster local entrepreneurship. The floor also includes an Adda Fee office, a loading/unloading platform, public parking, and modern toilet blocks, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for commuters and local businesses.

The first floor of the facility is a flagship component of Mr. Aman Arora's visionary concept, featuring a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports complex. This cutting-edge space is designed to promote various sports disciplines, including wrestling, judo, kabaddi, karate and kickboxing, offering local athletes a modern training environment to hone their skills in their respective fields.

The Cabinet Minister said that the project redefines community development in Punjab by seamlessly integrating essential services with health and wellness opportunities, setting a new benchmark for utility and civic infrastructure.

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Punjab Government awards compensation to 50 flood victim families till date as 56 persons lost their precious life in these ravaged floods

Conducts special drive for cleanliness of 2300 flood affected villages

Administrative machinery working round the clock to remove silt and debris from agricultural land

Special Campaign to sensitize people about water borne disease

Animals are being vaccinated to contain outbreak of diseases

Punjab Government committed for giving full compensation to flood affected people for their loss

Chandigarh, September 14:Proving true to its holy commitment of hand holding the families ravaged by floods, as many as 50 such families stand awarded the compensation to the tune of Rs. 2 Cr.

Stating this, the Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that due to the catastrophic floods, 56 precious lives have been lost in Punjab. Out of these, compensation has been given to 50 families while the rest of 6 families would also be awarded compensation soon. Mr Mundian further said that Girdawari work has started and it will be completed at the earliest. Full compensation will be given to flood affected persons for their loss.

Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said state government has launched flood relief and rehabilitation programme across rural punjab. He added that debries clearance and carcass disposal will be completed by 24 September. He further said that with an aim to restore normalcy in flood affected areas, Punjab Government has launched special drive for cleanliness in 2300 flood affected villages. In this connection, silt and debries are being removed from flood hit villages and people are being sensitized about outbreak of water borne diseases. Medical teams led by doctors are examining the flood affected people and animals.Besides, Vaccination are being given to animals to contain the spread of any diseases.

Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh informed that nodal officers have been deputed to assist EOs so that cleanliness could be done swiftly. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that medical teams have been formed to examine flood affected persons. In this way, we can prevent the outbreak of any disease.

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said special five days cleanliness drive has been commenced in grain markets so that seamless and hassle free procurement of paddy could be done

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