Flood Relief: Punjab Government Announces Compensation, Loan Moratorium, and New Policies

The Punjab government convened a cabinet meeting to address the widespread damage caused by recent floods. The meeting resulted in significant decisions designed to provide relief to those affected, including farmers and residents. A key initiative is the implementation of the ‘Whose Field, Whose Sand’ policy, enabling farmers to sell sand deposited on their land due to flooding. The government has also declared ₹20,000 per acre in compensation for crop losses, described as the highest in the nation. Furthermore, the government will provide ₹4 lakh in compensation to the families of those who died in the floods and offer financial assistance to those whose homes were damaged. As part of the relief package, farmers with loans from Punjab Co-operative Banks will have their loan installments deferred for six months, with no interest charged during this period. Additional measures include post-flood vaccination campaigns, medical camps, extensive cleaning operations, and surveys of schools, colleges, and government buildings for necessary repairs.