PM Modi Announces ₹1,500 Crore Aid for Himachal, ₹1,600 Crore for Punjab Flood Relief

After casting his vote in the vice-president election in the morning, Modi left for Himachal Pradesh. After reaching the hill state, the Prime Minister first conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh and reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken, as well as assessed the damage from the flood and landslide situation.
In the meeting with chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders, affected families and people engaged in rescue services in Kangra, Modi assured all help for restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected areas. He also announced an immediate relief of Rs1,500 crores for the affected areas in Himachal Pradesh. The financial assistance of `1,500 crores will be the advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

The Prime Minister asked for a multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region and people back on their feet, and this will be done through multiple ways, like rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, rebuilding schools, provision of relief under PMNRF along with release of mini kits for livestock.
“Recognising the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections. Under the PM Awas Yojana, geotagging of damaged houses will be done. This will help in accurate damage assessment and faster delivery of aid to those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

After Himachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister visited Punjab and conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and held a review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives. He reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assessed the damage that has occurred in Punjab.
The Prime Minister announced financial assistance of Rs1,600 crores for Punjab in addition to the Rs12,000 crores already in the state’s kitty. There will be an advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a multi-dimensional approach to help the entire region and its people recover. “Recognising the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections. For bores which have been silted over or swept away, support for refurbishing will be extended under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana on project mode, as per the specific proposal from the state government,” the PMO said.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin, financial assistance will be extended under the “special project’’ submitted by the Punjab government for reconstruction of houses in rural areas to eligible households whose houses have been damaged due to floods.

Government schools damaged in the recent floods in Punjab will be financially supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The state government is required to provide all requisite supporting information as per guidelines.
Construction of recharge structures for water harvesting will be undertaken extensively in Punjab under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari programme. This will be aimed at repairing damaged recharge structures and constructing additional water harvesting structures. These efforts will enhance rainwater harvesting and ensure long-term water sustainability.
The Union government has also sent inter-ministerial Central teams to visit Punjab to assess the extent of damage, and based on their detailed report, further assistance will be considered.
During his visit to Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Prime Minister also met families who were affected by the calamity and expressed his condolences and deep sorrow to the family members of those who have lost their lives. He stated that the Union government will work closely with the two state governments at this difficult time and extend all possible assistance.
The Prime Minister stated that all assistance under disaster management rules is being made, including advance disbursements to the states. He appreciated the efforts of the personnel of NDRF, SDRF, the Army, the state administration and other service-orientated organisations for making efforts in immediate relief and response.

The Central government will further review the assessment based on the memorandum of the state as well as the report of the Central teams.