Ministers fan out in flood affected areas as saviours of humanity
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains in Nangal, Lal Chand Kataruchak in Pathankot, Tarunpreet Singh Sond in Fazilka & Hardeep Singh Mundian lead the charge from Sasrali
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accompanied by Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak oversaw the flood relief efforts and visited Kathlour, Koliyan Road, Village Pamma & Bamiyal. They also took stock of the Temporary Bandh being constructed on the Raavi river. Castigating the Union Government, Mr. Sanjay Singh said that even after appeals by the National Convenor AAP Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann writing a letter, the BJP led Union Government has not announced any financial package for the State. Although PM Narendra Modi has time to send assistance to Afghanistan but he has no time to spare for Punjab.
Meanwhile, Inspired by the efforts of the Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains since the last 2 days to save the damaged portion of the famous Lakshmi Narayan temple at Nangal, now the people of the area alongwith the AAP volunteers and technical experts have joined hands in the noble cause. With the aid of big state of the art machinery and boats, giant bags filled with sand & gravel are being used to lend support to the structure of the building on the banks of Satluj.
Though, a sum of Rs. 1.27 crore would be required in order to permanently save the religious shrine.
Meanwhile, Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian flagged off three trucks loaded with essential dry ration and other relief materials to the families affected by floods in Sasrali and other adjoining villages. He said that the State Government is committed to extending timely support to every affected household and such consignments are being sent regularly to ensure uninterrupted supply of food items, medicines, clothes and other necessary goods.
The Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond commenced the third phase of distributing relief material in the flood affected villages of Fazilka and lambasting the Union Government said that Punjab has always stood up for the Nation in the times of need but now when the State itself requires handholding the Union Government is shying away from helping and instead meting out step motherly treatment.
Divulging about the relief material disbursement, Mr. Sond said that till now, 8599 ration kits stand distributed to the needy people in Fazilka District. Whereas 5000 bags of cattle feed for the dairy cattle has been distributed, 3715 tarpaulins have also been provided by the Punjab Government in the flood ravaged areas, added the Minister.
Mentioning the healthcare amenities, the Minister revealed that 38 medical teams have been deputed throughout the district apart from 28 teams of the Veterinary department. With a view to ensure the reach of relief material to the every needy person, as many as 3 Tehsildars, 2 Naib Tehsildars, 3 BDPOs, 58 Patwaris, 5 Qanungos, 10 Food Supply Officers & 25 other officials have been deployed in the affected villages.
Meanwhile, the Patiala Divisional Commissioner Vinay Bublani on Saturday early morning visited the Dhussi Bandh in Sasrali Colony to assess the on-going efforts to strengthen the flood defenses.
Accompanied by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ludhiana East Jasleen Kaur Bhullar and other officials, the Divisional Commissioner inspected the construction of a new ring bandh being undertaken through a collaborative effort involving Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department (PWD), Drainage Department, local social organizations, and the hundreds of villagers. During the visit, Bublani held detailed discussions with officials from the Revenue, Forest, and Drainage departments to assess the extent of damage caused to the crops near the Bandh.