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Punjab
August, 2008

 

NORMS RECOMMENDED BY AMARINDER-BHATTAL REGIME MAIN HURDLE FOR UTLISATION OF CENTRAL RELIEF

BADAL DARES CONGRESS TO VIDHAN SABHA DEBATE ON FLOOD RELIEF
WRITES TO BHATTAL ON PREVIOUS GOVT'S ROLE

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29, 2008

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today squarely blamed the previous Congress government in the state for the shockingly inadequate norms which came in the way of providing relief and compensation to the flood victims in Punjab.

In a letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the state, Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Chief Minister categorically said that the norms fixed by the Congress Government for disbursement of Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) in 2005 were now becoming a hurdle in the way of relief to the flood victims in the state.

Referring to Mrs. Bhattal's allegation about the non-utilization of Rs 1646 crore of Central Relief fund meant for flood hit areas, Mr. Badal responded with his characteristic low key humour, " The issue was touched upon in detail by me, both in an official release to and a formal interaction with the media. Reports about the factual position about the Central Relief Fund were given wide and prominent display by almost all the regional and national newspapers as well as by the electronic media. Clearly, these reports appeared to have escaped your notice, presumably because of your pre-occupations elsewhere," he said.

The Chief Minister dared the Leader of the Opposition to a debate on the entire gamut of the issue in the forthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha beginning September 4.

Mr. Badal also called upon her to use her good offices with her party and join efforts of the SAD-BJP government for getting the relief/compensation norms revised from Government of India in consonance with the recommendations made by our government.

The Chief Minister's letter came in reply to a communication from the Leader of the Opposition to him on the subject two days ago.

Clearly having a dig at the Congress ignorance of the farming realities, Mr. Badal said," I am sure that as one who is fully conversent with the ground realities of Agricultural economy, you could not have been a willing party to the decision to make the above recommendation to the Govt. of India. Anyone familiar with the detailed costs of farming in-puts such as labour, seeds, soil-preparation, fertilizers, weedicides/pesticides, machinery, irrigation, superintendence and harvesting has a fair knowledge that on an average, the loss suffered by the farmers at this stage of paddy alone would be anything between Rs. 20000 to 25000 per acre. But as per the norms recommended by the Punjab Government during your tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, the State Government cannot pay to the farmers anything more than Rs.700/-( for loss between 25% to 50% ) , Rs.1000/-(50% to 75% ) and Rs.2000/- ( 75% to 100%) per acre. As a matter of fact, the Congress led UPA Government at the Center went even lower than these recommended norms and fixed only Rs. 1400/- per acre where the loss was total.

Having pot shots at the Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh and Mrs. Bhattal, the Chief Minister said, " Because of your long experience in governance, both as Chief Minister and as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister, you would perhaps be aware that it is not possible for the State Government to draw funds from the CRF in excess of the norms fixed by the Govt.of India. You must therefore be fully aware that the figure of Rs.1646 crore becomes totally irrelevant in absence of Govt.of India's sanction for utilization of funds beyond the prescribed limits which were set only after your Government made the shocking recommendations cited above."

Continuing in his typical vein, Mr. Badal said, " It will certainly please you to know that SAD-BJP Government has sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers, where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000," Mr. Badal said.

Realizing the constraints imposed by the recommendations and the norms subsequently fixed by the centre, the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab decided to use its own resources in the aid of the besieged farmers of the State. "Accordingly, as against the Central assistance of just Rs. 1400/-per acre for total loss, the Govt. of Punjab was paying relief @ Rs.5000/-per acre. This was being done by shelling out the additional funds from the State Govt's own kitty", said the Chief Minister.

Mr. Badal said that he "fully shared the concern shown by Mrs. Bhattal with regard to the inadequacy of relief to the flood–hit farmers", and pointed out that Punjab had already approached the government for revision of the norms in this regard. He pointed out how he had been hugely embarrassed when, on his raising the demand for greater relief of the compensation to the farmers, the Union Home Minister Mr. ShivrajV.Patil informed him that the quantum of relief was fixed only after the recommendations and approval of the Punjab Government. "It was then I became aware of the shockingly low norms recommended by the Congress Government in Punjab" said Mr. Badal.

The Chief Minister informed Mrs. Bhattal that now the SAD-BJP Government had sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000/- .

The Chief Minister referred to the track record of the previous Congress government "headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh and co-headed by your goodself," and said that it spent a total amount of just over Rs. 81 crore as relief during natural calamities despite heavy floods including in the home districts of the two leaders, in Patiala and Sangrur. In addition, there was severe drought at that time, which called for more relief. As against this, the SAD-BJP Government had already disbursed relief worth more than Rs. 182 crore as calamity relief in just 18 months since taking over" said Mr. Badal.

Mr. Badal reiterated that regardless of the restrictive norms recommended and approved during the Congress regime, the SAD-BJP government was "determined to stand-by our people in their hour of distress, no matter what it takes. Funds would not be allowed to become a constraint for immediate relief", he asserted.

TEXT OF THE LETTER

I am writing this to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated 27-08-2008, about the flood situtation in Punjab and the steps taken by the State and the Union Govt. to provide relief and compensation to those affected by this natural calamity.

2. I have been surprised by your reference to the Central Relief Fund of Rs. 1646 Crore which according to you is lying unutilised. The issue is touched in detail by me, both in a official release to and a formal interaction with the media. Reports about the factual position about the Central Relief Fund were given wide and prominent display by almost all the regional and national newspapers as well as by the electronic media. Clearly, these reports appeared to have escaped your notice, presumeably because of your pre-occupations elsewhere. I consider it my duty to reiterate some of the points already reported by the media.

3. You will please recall that during the tenure of the previous Congress Govt. in Punjab headed by Capt.Amarinder Singh, a communication was sent to the Govt.of India recommending norms for distribution of relief to the victims of natural calamities like floods. According to the recommendations made by the Punjab Government, in which you not only held the key-portfolio of Rural Development and Panchayats but were also the Deputy Chief Minister, the flood victims were to be given relief as per details given below;

Relief on account of damage to standing crops
i) Where crops are totally damaged in early stage but area can be re-sown in the same season,farmers may be allowed relief for seeds,fertilizers etc.@Rs.700/- per acre

ii) Where crops are totally damaged in early stage and cannot be re-sown, relief may be allowed @Rs.1000/- per acre.

iii) Relief on account of damage of mature standing/harvested crops at the following rates may be allowed:

a) Where the loss to crops exceeds 75%
Rs.2,000/- per acre

b) Where the loss to crops exceeds 50% but does not exceeds 75%
Rs.1,000/- per acre

c) Where the loss to crops exceeds 25% but does not exceeds 50%
Rs.700/- per acre.

d)Where the mature/harvested crops is completely destroyed due to fire caused by lightening or any other cause, other than electrical/short-circuit.
Rs. 3,000/- per acre.

4. I am sure that as one who is fully conversent with the ground realities of Agricultural economy, you could not have been a willing party to the decision to make the above recommendation to the Govt.of India. Anyone familiar with the detailed costs of farming in-puts such as labour, seeds, soil-preparation, fertilisers, weedicides/pesticides, machinery, irrigation, superintendence and harvesting has a fair knowledge that on an average, the loss suffered by the farmers at this stage of paddy alone would be anything between Rs. 20000 to 25000 per acre. But as per the norms recommended by the Punjab Government during your tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, the State Government cannot pay to the farmers anything more than Rs.700/-( for loss between 25% to 50% ) , Rs.1000/-(50% to 75% ) and Rs.2000/- ( 75% to 100%) per acre. As a matter of fact, the Congress led UPA Government at the Center went even lower than these recommended norms and fixed only Rs. 1400/- per acre where the loss was total.

5. Because of your long experience in governance, both as Chief Minister and as Deputy Chief Minister/Minister, you would perhaps be aware that it is not possible for the State Government to draw funds from the CRF in excess of the norms fixed by the Govt.of India. You must therefore be fully aware that the figure of Rs.1646 crore becomes totally irrelevant in absence of Govt.of India's sanction for utilisation of funds beyond the prescribed limits which were set only after your Government made the shocking recommendations cited above.

6. Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab, fully aware of the constraints imposed by the recommendations and the norms subsequently fixed by the Govt.of India, decided to use its own resources to come to the aid of the beleaguered farmers of the State. Accordingly, as against the Central assistance of just Rs. 1400/-per acre for total loss, the Govt.of Punjab is paying relief @ Rs.5000/-per acre. This is being done by shelling out the additional funds from the State Govt's own kitty.

7. I share your concern with regard to the inadequacy of relief to the flood–hit farmers and have already approached the Govt.of India for revision of the norms in this regard. As a matter of fact, I was greatly embarrassed when, on my raising the demand for greater relief of the compensation to the farmers, the Union Home Minister told me that the quantum of relief was fixed only after the recommendations and approval of the Punjab Government. It was then that I became aware of the shockingly low norms recommended by the Congress Government in Punjab.

8. It will certainly please you to know that SAD-BJP Government has sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers, where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000/-

9. I would also like to inform you that in five years of its tenure, the Congress Government in the State headed by Capt.Amarinder Singh (and co-headed by your goodself) spent a total amount of just over Rs. 81 crore as relief during natural calamities. This was despite heavy floods, including those in Patiala and Sangrur Districts during your tenure. In addition, the State was also hit by severe drought during your tenure, calling for more relief.

10. As against Rs. 81 Crore spent by your Government in five years, the SAD-BJP Government has already disbursed relief worth more than Rs. 182 crore as calamity relief in just 18 months since taking over.

11. You would also perhaps be pleased to know that the State and District Administration from the highest to lowest rank in the State swung into action immediately. The Chief Secretary headed a team of senior officers, including Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Principal Secretary Irrigation to visit the flood-affected areas to personally know the problems of people. Similarly, three senior Ministers, Sardar Janmeja Singh Sekhon(Irrigation), Bibi Upinderjit Kaur (Education) and Sardar Ajit Singh Kohar (Revenue) camped in the affected villages, spending days and nights with with beleaguered people.

Realizing the constraints imposed by the recommendations and the norms subsequently fixed by the centreI, the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab decided to use its own resources in the aid of the besieged farmers of the State. "Accordingly, as against the Central assistance of just Rs. 1400/-per acre for total loss, the Govt. of Punjab was paying relief @ Rs.5000/-per acre. This was being done by shelling out the additional funds from the State Govt's own kitty", said the Chief Minister.

Mr. Badal said that he fully shared the concern shown by Mrs. Bhattal with regard to the inadequacy of relief to the flood–hit farmers, and pointed out that Punjab had already approached the government for revision of the norms in this regard. He pointed out how he had been hugely embarrassed when, on his raising the demand for greater relief of the compensation to the farmers, the Union Home Minister Mr.Shivraj V.Patil informed him that the quantum of relief was fixed only after the recommendations and approval of the Punjab Government. "It was then I became aware of the shockingly low norms recommended by the Congress Government in Punjab" said Mr. Badal.

The Chief Minister informed Mrs. Bhattal that now the SAD-BJP Government had sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000/- .

The Chief Minister referred mto the track record of the previous Congress government "headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh and co-headed by your goodself," and said that it spent a total amount of just over Rs. 81 crore as relief during natural calamities despite heavy floods including in the home districts of the two leaders, in Patiala and Sangrur. In addition, there was severe drought at that time, which called for more relief. As against this, the SAD-BJP Government had already disbursed relief worth more than Rs. 182 crore as calamity relief in just 18 months since taking over" said Mr. Badal.

Mr. Badal reiterated that regardless of the restrictive norms recommended and approved during the Congress regime, the SAD-BJP government was "determined to stand-by our people in their hour of distress, no matter what it takes. Funds would not be allowed to become a constraint for immediate relief", he asserted.

TEXT OF THE LETTER

I am writing this to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated 27-08-2008, about the flood situtation in Punjab and the steps taken by the State and the Union Govt. to provide relief and compensation to those affected by this natural calamity.

2. I have been surprised by your reference to the Central Relief Fund of Rs. 1646 Crore which according to you is lying unutilised. The issue is touched in detail by me, both in a official release to and a formal interaction with the media. Reports about the factual position about the Central Relief Fund were given wide and prominent display by almost all the regional and national newspapers as well as by the electronic media. Clearly, these reports appeared to have escaped your notice, presumeably because of your pre-occupations elsewhere. I consider it my duty to reiterate some of the points already reported by the media.

3. You will please recall that during the tenure of the previous Congress Govt. in Punjab headed by Capt.Amarinder Singh, a communication was sent to the Govt.of India recommending norms for distribution of relief to the victims of natural calamities like floods. According to the recommendations made by the Punjab Government, in which you not only held the key-portfolio of Rural Development and Panchayats but were also the Deputy Chief Minister, the flood victims were to be given relief as per details given below;

Relief on account of damage

to standing crops
iv) Where crops are totally damaged in early stage but area can be re-sown in the same season,farmers may be allowed relief for seeds,fertilizers etc.@Rs.700/- per acre

v) Where crops are totally damaged in early stage and cannot be re-sown, relief may be allowed @Rs.1000/- per acre.

vi) Relief on account of damage of mature standing/harvested crops at the following rates may be allowed:



c) Where the loss to crops

exceeds 75%


Rs.2,000/- per acre

d) Where the loss to crops

exceeds 50% but does not exceeds 75%
Rs.1,000/- per acre

c) Where the loss to crops exceeds 25% but does not exceeds 50%
Rs.700/- per acre.

d)Where the mature/harvested crops is completely destroyed due to fire caused by lightening

or any other cause, other than electrical/short-circuit.
Rs. 3,000/- per acre.

4. I am sure that as one who is fully conversent with the ground realities of Agricultural economy, you could not have been a willing party to the decision to make the above recommendation to the Govt.of India. Anyone familiar with the detailed costs of farming in-puts such as labour, seeds, soil-preparation, fertilisers, weedicides/pesticides, machinery, irrigation, superintendence and harvesting has a fair knowledge that on an average, the loss suffered by the farmers at this stage of paddy alone would be anything between Rs. 20000 to 25000 per acre. But as per the norms recommended by the Punjab Government during your tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, the State Government cannot pay to the farmers anything more than Rs.700/-( for loss between 25% to 50% ) , Rs.1000/-(50% to 75% ) and Rs.2000/- ( 75% to 100%) per acre. As a matter of fact, the Congress led UPA Government at the Center went even lower than these recommended norms and fixed only Rs. 1400/- per acre where the loss was total.

5. Because of your long experience in governance, both as Chief Minister and as Deputy Chief Minister/Minister, you would perhaps be aware that it is not possible for the State Government to draw funds from the CRF in excess of the norms fixed by the Govt.of India. You must therefore be fully aware that the figure of Rs.1646 crore becomes totally irrelevant in absence of Govt.of India's sanction for utilisation of funds beyond the prescribed limits which were set only after your Government made the shocking recommendations cited above.

6. Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab, fully aware of the constraints imposed by the recommendations and the norms subsequently fixed by the Govt.of India, decided to use its own resources to come to the aid of the beleaguered farmers of the State. Accordingly, as against the Central assistance of just Rs. 1400/-per acre for total loss, the Govt.of Punjab is paying relief @ Rs.5000/-per acre. This is being done by shelling out the additional funds from the State Govt's own kitty.

7. I share your concern with regard to the inadequacy of relief to the flood–hit farmers and have already approached the Govt.of India for revision of the norms in this regard. As a matter of fact, I was greatly embarrassed when, on my raising the demand for greater relief of the compensation to the farmers, the Union Home Minister told me that the quantum of relief was fixed only after the recommendations and approval of the Punjab Government. It was then that I became aware of the shockingly low norms recommended by the Congress Government in Punjab.

8. It will certainly please you to know that SAD-BJP Government has sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers, where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000/-

9. I would also like to inform you that in five years of its tenure, the Congress Government in the State headed by Capt.Amarinder Singh (and co-headed by your goodself) spent a total amount of just over Rs. 81 crore as relief during natural calamities. This was despite heavy floods, including those in Patiala and Sangrur Districts during your tenure. In addition, the State was also hit by severe drought during your tenure, calling for more relief.

10. As against Rs. 81 Crore spent by your Government in five years, the SAD-BJP Government has already disbursed relief worth more than Rs. 182 crore as calamity relief in just 18 months since taking over.

11. You would also perhaps be pleased to know that the State and District Administration from the highest to lowest rank in the State swung into action immediately. The Chief Secretary headed a team of senior officers, including Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Principal Secretary Irrigation to visit the flood-affected areas to personally know the problems of people. Similarly, three senior Ministers, Sardar Janmeja Singh Sekhon(Irrigation), Bibi Upinderjit Kaur (Education) and Sardar Ajit Singh Kohar (Revenue) camped in the affected villages, spending days and nights with with beleaguered people. As Chief Minister of the State, I dashed to the flood-hit areas both for a personal assessment of the situation and for meeting the flood victims for a first hand knowledge of their problems. I have directed the Administration to work day and night for the quickest possible solution to the problems, both on temporary and long term basis. Regardless of the restrictive norms recommended and approved during your regime, we are determined to stand-by our people in their hour of distress, no matter what it takes. Funds will not be allowed to become a constraint for immediate relief.

I have already stated that we are ready to discuss the entire issue on floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

At the same time, I would request you to join our efforts for getting the relief/compensation norms of the Govt.of India revised along the recommendation made by us.

Yours truly,

(Parkash Singh Badal )

Sardarni Rajinder Kaur Bhattal,

Leader of the Opposition

Punjab Vidhan Sabha.


BADAL DIRECTS HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO INTENSIFY MEDICAL AID TO FLOOD AFFECTED PERSONS

Chandigarh, August 30, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the State Health Department to intensify medical aid and supply of medicines to flood affected victims in Moga, Ferozepur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts.

According to Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, the Chief Minister personally spoke to the concerned Deputy Commissioners and asked them to ensure that all necessary steps are undertaken to prevent the outbreak of any epidemic in the affected villages.

He said that the Health Minister Ms. Laxmi Kanta Chawla along with Secretary Health Satish Chandra had toured Moga and Ferozepur districts extensively only day before yesterday to supervise the relief work by the Health Department. He further informed that necessary directions would be issued to all Civil Surgeons to keep a strict vigil against any likely out-break of epidemic in the affected villages.


BADAL CALLS UPON PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN AMITY AND COMMUNAL HARMONY.

Chandigarh, August 30, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister, Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people of the country to preserve peace, amity, and communal harmony at all costs.

In a statement, Mr. Badal appealed to the people belonging to different communities to strengthen the social fabric of our country by displaying the age-old ethos of understanding and good-will as preached by our great gurus, saints and seers. Mr. Badal also underscored the need for religious tolerance, magnanimity and unity in the larger interest of our society.

The Chief Minister said that there had been alarming reports of attempts to disturb peace and communal harmony in various parts of the country. He said that an all out social effort for safeguarding peace and amity in the country was all the more important and relevant at this critical juncture when the nation was already facing threats to its secular and sovereign character.

He urged the people exercise maximum restraint in such testing circumstances and to give a befitting reply to anti-social elements.


 

Badal condoles Dr. Birla's death

Chandigarh August 30, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of a noted Industrialist and Chairman of 'The Hindustan Times Newspaper'. In a condolence message the Chief Minister said Dr. K.K. Birla was an eminent statesman, doyen of Indian Industry and a noble soul.

His emphatic role in the growth of industrial sector on one hand and the promotion of trade and commerce on the other would for ever be remembered by each one of us.

Mr. Badal also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the family member of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile Member Parliament and president Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled death of Dr. K.K. Birla. He said in his death the nation has lost a great visionary and void has been created which was difficult to be filled.

Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also mourned the death of Dr. Birla and described him as a multi faceted personality besides a great philanthropist.


PUNJAB GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME DEBATE ON FLOOD RELIEF
BADAL WRITES TO BHATTAL

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 30, 2008

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today squarely blamed the previous Congress governement in the state for the shocking inadequate relief to the flood victims in Punjab. In a letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the state, Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Chief Minister categorically said that the norms fixed by the Congress Government for disbursement of Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) in 2005 were now becoming a hurdle in the way of relief to the flood victims in the state.

The Chief Minister declared that the government would welcome a debate on the entire gamut of the issue in the forthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha beginning Septenmber 4. .

Mr. Badal also called upon the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee and the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly to join efforts of the SAD-BJP government for getting the relief/compensation norms revised from Government of India in consonance with the recommendations made by our government.

The Chief Minister's letter came in reply to a communication from the Leader of the Opposition to him on the subject.

Recalling the ground realities of Agricultural economy, Mr. Badal pointed out that you could not have been a willing party to the decision to make the previous recommendations to the GoI as anyone familiar with the detailed costs of farming in-puts such as labour, seeds, soil-preparation, fertilizers, weedicides/pesticides, machinery, irrigation, superintendence and harvesting had a fair knowledge that on an average, the loss suffered by the farmers at this stage of paddy alone would be anything between Rs. 20000 to 25000 per acre. But as per the norms recommended by the Punjab Government during your tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, the State Government could not pay to the farmers anything more than Rs.700/-( for loss between 25% to 50% ) , Rs.1000/-(50% to 75% ) and Rs.2000/- ( 75% to 100%) per acre. As a matter of fact, the Congress led UPA Government at the Center went even lower than these recommended norms and fixed only Rs. 1400/- per acre where the loss was 100%.

The Chief Minister asked Mrs. Bhattal of her long experience in governance, both as Chief Minister and as Deputy Chief Minister/Minister was perhaps aware that it was not possible for the State Government to draw funds from the CRF in excess of the norms fixed by the GoI and therefore, the figure of Rs.1646 crore becomes totally irrelevant in absence of GoI's sanction for utilization of funds beyond the prescribed limits which were set only after Congress Government made the shocking recommendations.

Realizing the constraints imposed by the recommendations and the norms subsequently fixed by the GoI, Mr. Badal mentioned that SAD-BJP Government decided to use its own resources in the aid of the besieged farmers of the State. Accordingly, as against the Central assistance of just Rs. 1400/-per acre for total loss, the Govt. of Punjab was paying relief @ Rs.5000/-per acre. This was being done by shelling out the additional funds from the State Govt's own kitty.

Sharing her concern with regard to the inadequacy of relief to the flood–hit farmers, Mr. Badal pointed out that we have already approached the GoI for revision of the norms in this regard adding as a matter of fact, he was greatly embarrassed when, on his raising the demand for greater relief of the compensation to the farmers, the Union Home Minister Mr.Shivraj V.Patil informed him that the quantum of relief was fixed only after the recommendations and approval of the Punjab Government. "It was then I became aware of the shockingly low norms recommended by the Congress Government in Punjab" said Mr. Badal.

The Chief Minister informed Mrs. Bhattal that now the SAD-BJP Government had sent revised recommendations in this regard to the Government of India, seeking, among other things, between Rs.15000/- and Rs 20000/- per acre for flood-hit farmers where the loss is above 75%. Other recommendations have also been similarly revised. For example, as against Rs. 20000/- recommended by your Govt. for total damage to a house, we have sought the quantum to be raised to at least Rs.50,000/- .

The Chief Minister further mentioned that in five years of its tenure, the Congress Government in the State headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh (and co-headed by your goodself) spent a total amount of just over Rs. 81 crore as relief during natural calamities in view of heavy floods, in Patiala and Sangrur districts besides severe drought during your tenure, calling for more relief. As against Rs. 81 crore spent by your Government in five years, the SAD-BJP Government had already disbursed relief worth more than Rs. 182 crore as calamity relief in just 18 months since taken over, added Mr. Badal.

Mr. Badal reiterated that regardless of the restrictive norms recommended and approved during Congress regime, we were determined to stand-by our people in their hour of distress, no matter what it takes. Funds would not be allowed to become a constraint for immediate relief, he asserted


 



 

 

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