Chandigarh, September 9, 2025 – Punjab is facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades. In response, the state government has announced a historic flood relief package for farmers and families hit by devastation. The announcement came just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, admitted to a Mohali hospital due to health issues, chaired the Cabinet meeting virtually. Through a video message, he said the government stood firmly with the people in this crisis. He also announced the highest-ever per-acre crop compensation in India’s history.
Farmers to Receive ₹20,000 Per Acre
Punjab’s farmers are among the worst affected. Standing crops, especially paddy, remained submerged under water for days. Losses have been massive.
The Cabinet approved ₹20,000 per acre compensation. This is far higher than the earlier relief of ₹6,800 per acre under central norms. With this hike, Punjab becomes the only state in India to offer such high per-acre compensation for natural disasters.
Mann stressed that this was not just financial help. It was recognition of farmers’ role in ensuring food security. The move will directly benefit thousands of cultivators across Punjab.
Support for Families and Loan Relief
Families who lost loved ones will receive ₹4 lakh each. So far, 51 flood-related deaths have been reported.
To ease financial stress, the government announced a six-month moratorium on loan repayments. Farmers will not pay principal or interest on cooperative and agricultural bank loans during this period.
Compensation will also be given for livestock and house damage. Detailed ground surveys will begin once floodwaters recede.
Punjab’s Worst Floods in Four Decades
The floods are the worst since 1988. Heavy rains and overflowing rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — triggered the disaster.
- 3.87 lakh people affected in 2,064 villages.
- 22,938 residents evacuated.
- 4.56 lakh acres of crops damaged.
- 3.60 lakh livestock lost.
- Hundreds of homes collapsed.
Large deposits of sand and silt now cover farmland, making rabi sowing difficult. To help farmers, the government has allowed them to remove and sell the deposited sand. Cultivators have welcomed this step.
Call for Central Aid
The Punjab government has also sought a ₹20,000-crore package from the Centre.
Earlier, Mann wrote to PM Modi urging higher compensation norms. He demanded ₹50,000 per acre for crops nearing harvest and ₹8 lakh per person for lives lost.
Punjab ministers also pointed to financial stress. They said the Centre still owes Punjab around ₹60,000 crore. AAP leaders argued that Punjab needs urgent relief, not just symbolic visits.
AAP minister Aman Arora said, “Punjab is facing a tragedy never seen before. We welcome the PM, but we expect action, not just words.”
PM Modi’s Visit and Political Significance
Prime Minister Modi will conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas. He will meet affected families in Gurdaspur and review relief work. Later, he will also visit Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, which faced similar floods.
Since Mann is still in hospital, a team of Punjab ministers and senior bureaucrats will receive the PM. Political experts see the visit as significant, with BJP trying to build influence in rural Punjab ahead of the 2027 elections.
AAP’s move to raise compensation well above central norms is being viewed as a strategy. It highlights the Centre’s delay while projecting AAP as the party standing by farmers.
Restoration and Rehabilitation Plans
The Punjab Cabinet also approved several restoration steps:
- Quick repair of roads, power supply, schools, and government buildings.
- A statewide cleanliness drive to check disease spread.
- Medical camps in flood-hit villages.
- Strict checks on sand removal to protect farmland.
Officials have been told to complete work on “war footing.” With the rabi season close, the urgency is high.
Key Highlights of Relief Package
- ₹20,000 per acre for crop loss — highest in India.
- ₹4 lakh for families of victims.
- Six-month loan moratorium with no interest.
- Permission to remove and sell flood-deposited sand.
- Compensation for livestock and damaged houses.
- Quick repair, medical camps, and cleanliness drives.
Conclusion
Punjab is battling an unprecedented disaster. Families are uprooted, farmlands destroyed, and rural livelihoods shaken.
The state government’s record relief package has set a new benchmark. But experts say Punjab cannot recover without strong central support.
With PM Modi’s visit, farmers now expect more than promises. The demand for a ₹20,000-crore central package reflects the scale of destruction. The coming days will show if the Centre rises to the challenge.
For now, Punjab’s historic relief move signals both political intent and genuine support for farmers in crisis.
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