CHANDIGARH: To strengthen embankments of Satluj River and to check the floods permanently in future the team from Central Government urged the State Government to prepare a project report and send it to central Government.

Revealing this Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister Punjab said that the Punjab Chief Minister  Parkash Singh Badal met the Prime Minister of India and sought a Central Team to access the damage of life and property.

Responding to  Badal's request five member team headed by  Prabhansoo, Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs visited today to access the damage of farmers caused by floods in district Ferozpur. Others accompanied  the team included . Romila Dubey, Financial Commissioner Revenue,  Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Power & Irrigation,B.S Sudan Commissioner Ferozpur and Faridkot District, Meghraj, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. M.L Vaasan DIG, BSF and  Dinesh Partap Singh, SSP Ferozpur.

Sekhon said that the team was convinced that major damage was done to standing crops and houses and there was water every where.  Prabhansoo said that the report would be submitted within two days to Central Government, for relief.

Punjab Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon who also accompanied the team said that 134 villages were flooded and fifty five thousand (55,000) people were affected by floods in Ferozpur district out of which 6320 people were rescued through boats and motor boats and sent in rescue camps. He further said that about 11080 hectares of standing crops were damaged. Total damage of crops and houses comes to the tune of Rs.190 crores.

Sekhon demanded from the Central Government that total loss of farmers should be paid by the Central Government as 60 to 70 percent of food grains were contributed by the Punjab farmers in the Central pool. He also demanded waiving off loans of flood affected farmers.

Sekhon further said that Sukhbir Singh Badal, President SAD and Member Parliament has sent 25 Trucks of green fader, wheat husk, floor, Pulses and other necessary Commodities for people affected by floods. Similarly  Bikram Singh Majithia, Information & Public Relations Department Minister has also sent 18 trucks, said the Minister.