Delhi, 3 September (H.S.):

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to visit the flood-affected areas of Punjab tomorrow to assess the extensive damage caused by heavy rains and floods in multiple districts. Arriving in Amritsar in the morning, the Minister will personally meet affected farmers and later convene a high-level meeting with officials to formulate measures for providing extensive assistance to the impacted agricultural community.

Chouhan recently held detailed telephonic discussions with Punjab's Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to review the current flood situation. He reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to standing firmly with the farmers and residents of Punjab during this crisis, assuring comprehensive support for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.

The visit follows a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister last Monday in Delhi, where he expressed deep concern over the damage to crops in Punjab’s flood-hit regions and reaffirmed the Central Government’s resolve to assist the affected farmers.

Punjab has been severely impacted by continuous heavy rainfall and controlled release of water from major dams, resulting in widespread flooding across more than a dozen districts. The floods have damaged over 1.48 lakh hectares of standing crops and affected lakhs of people, with significant devastation to farmlands just weeks before harvest. The State Government has also taken precautionary measures, including closing educational institutions until September 7 to ensure safety.

Chouhan’s forthcoming visit signifies the Central Government’s proactive approach to assess ground-level realities, coordinate with state officials, and expedite aid to Punjab's farming community during this challenging time. Farmers have been reassured that they will receive every possible assistance from the Centre in overcoming the agricultural and humanitarian crisis caused by the floods.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar