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Punjab News: 2010

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RELIEF MATERIAL REACHING TO FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS :CHEEMA

CHANDIGARH, JULY 12, 2010:

Appeal made by SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to send dry ration and fodder to the flood affected areas has evoked big response and relief material from different areas of the state has began to reach flood affected areas of Moonak, Patran and Devigarh today.

In a statement released from the party headquarters here today, party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that on Tuesday Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria would send 10 truck loads of dry ration in which 6 thousand bags of wheat flour, 25 bags of sugar and 25 bags of pulses and other items of daily use would be sent to the affected people. Today NK Sharma President of the Distt. Planning Committee Mohali sent 100 quintal wheat flour for the affected areas.

He further said that appeal to send green fodder and dry fooder have also evoked good response. Distt unit of Fatehgarh Sahib has sent green fodder for the affected areas. In Sangrur Distt President Parkash Chand would sent 200 trolleys of green fodder and dry fodder tommorow. Similarly Gobind Sing Longowal would sent 6 trolley of green fodder, he added.

Dr.Cheema said that MLA Jagraon in Ludhian Distt has already sent 5 truck loads of green fodder for Patran. Jagdish Singh Garcha has sent 6 tempo of green fooder and tomorrow more would be. In Ludhiana rural President Santa Singh, President of Khanna Nagar Council Iqbal Singh and their other have sent 6 trolleys of green fodder for Patran.

He said that relief material would continue to pour in from different parts of the in the affected areas. He also appealed to the party leaders to further boost up this initiative.

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DPO-CUM-INCHARGE OBSERVATION HOME LUDHIANA SUSPENDED

Chandigarh, July 12, 2010:

The Punjab Government has placed under suspension Smt. Neeta Gupta, District Programme Officer Fatehgarh Sahib cum Incharge Observation Home Ludhiana with immediate effect.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab Government said that Smt. Neeta Gupta has been suspended due her negligence on duty.  The suspension has been made in connection with the case of escape of eight inmates from the juvenile observation home located at Shimlapuri in Ludhiana district, the spokesman added. The Headquarter of Smt. Neeta Gupta would be Chandigarh at the time of suspension.

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, July 12, 2010

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Khariff Season through Canal water from 14-07-2010 to 21-07-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab, Sidhwan Branch, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder, respectively.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' being in the channels of first preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar Branch and its off taking channels i.e Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.

The spokesman further said that all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in group 'A' being in the First preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/Minors in Group 'B'.

The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch, Main Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.

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SUKHBIR ORDERS SURVEY OF LOSS TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS
DUE TO FLOODS

  • ALL DEPARTMENTS TOLD TO SUBMIT SURVEY REPORTS WITHIN 15 DAYS

Chandigarh, July 12, 2010:

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today ordered the comprehensive survey of loss incurred by government property including power and other infrastructure besides road network in recent floods in 7districts of the state , as 26 new breaches in Sagarpada , Markanda and Ghaggar marooned a large area of Devigarh in Patiala district. Meanwhile Punjab irrigation department working day and night has plugged 14 out of 33 breaches in Ghaggar with a plan to plug 16 more breaches in next 24 hour.

Reviewing the flood situation in the meeting with Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. D.S. Guru, the Deputy Chief Minister said that these floods were a challenge for Punjab Government and we should make all efforts to restore damaged infrastructure within shortest possible time. He said that presently the focus of the state government to provide relief to the flood hit people and immediately after water recedes, government machinery should work overtime in restoration task. It was informed in the meeting that over 1967 kilometer of road network has been fully damaged or washed away in the floods.

Mr. Badal issued instructions to agriculture department to procure sufficient quantity of seeds to be supplied to farmers for sowing crops once flood water recedes. Mr. Badal asked the department to book those seed dealers who were exploiting the situation to sell seeds on exorbitant rates. He said that no body would be allowed to exploit calamity to make quick buck.

Meanwhile as the fresh areas of Patiala district near Devigarh were flooded, over 2,53,322 acres farm land has been marooned. It was informed in the meeting that total 814 villages of which 283 were in Patiala, 200 in Ludhiana, 190 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 58 in Rupnagar, 55 in SAS Nagar, 28 in Sangrur were fully affected putting 3 to 4 lac people in distress.

Fresh rains in Patiala, Gurdaspur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Ludhiana and Amritsar was worrying the government as water in Ghaggar and Bhakra Main Line was flowing above warning level near RD 460. Rohti recorded 75 mm and Patiala city recorded 28 mm rains during 24 hours whereas Bool (70 mm), Doraha (63 mm), Sidhwan (24 mm), Nawan Sehar (33 mm), Ropar (15 mm) recorded fresh rains during last 24 hours.

Water level in Bhakra was recorded at 1553. 98 feet, 18.84 feet above the last year level whereas inflow in Dam was 40788 cusecs against 36986 cusecs of last year. The level of Pong dam was 20.21 feet above last year level whereas inflow was recorded 12253 cusecs against 6009 cusecs of last year.

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FAN OUT TO FLOOD HIT AREAS TO PROVIDE RELIEF –SUKHBIR’S
CALL TO PARTY CADRE

CHANDIGARH JULY 12, 2010:

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal today gave a call to party cadre at the grass root level to fan out to flood hit areas and make collective efforts to provide relief to flood hit people of the state.

Mr. Badal asked party’s all district presidents to lead the flood relief operation and send trucks of dry ration, flour, green fodder, animal feed, dry milk, mineral water and other basic medicines to the flood hit people and party cadre from each district should organize relief distribution camps in the affected areas. Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Secretary Shiromani Akali Dal would coordinate and supervise the whole relief operation by the party.

Mr. Badal said that Shiromani Akali Dal has the glorious tradition of selfless service and it had been organizing relief operations where ever any calamity had hit the country. He said that it was the Shiromani Akali Dal that was first to organize relief camp at tsunami hit Nicobar island and party was first to reach Latur in Maharashtra after earth quake. He said that when Punjabis themselves were facing the calamity; it becomes our moral duty to rise the occasion and work day and night in the service of suffering humanity.

Mr. Badal has set up a control room here in Shiromani Akali Dal head quarter to coordinate the relief operations.

Meanwhile, Mr. N.K.Sharma, President District Planning Board Mohali today flagged off a truck containing 100 quintals of dry flour, pulses, tealeaves and dry ration besides two trucks of green fodder from Zirakpur to the flood hit areas of district Patiala and Sangrur.

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SUKHBIR APPROVES CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR FLOOD HIT FARMERS

  • 480 CRORE CROP LOSS ESTIMATED IN PUNJAB
  • SUKHBIR VISITS FLOOD HIT VILLAGES OF SARDOOLGARH
  • PUNJAB TO PROVIDE ENHANCED COMPENSATION TO FARMERS
  • DCs OF REMAINING DISTRICTS CAUTIONED TO BE PREPARED FOR FLOODS

Chandigarh, July 11, 2010

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today approved contingency plans for flood hit farmers, as two more breaches in Ghaggar near Makroad and Chandu and one breach in Narwana Canal marooned 2.5 Lac acres farm land affecting three lac people of 763 villages of Punjab. The Deputy Chief Minister accompanied by Member Parliament Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder visited flood hit Sadhuwala and Phusmandi villages besides reviewing relief operations at Sardulgarh. Mr. Badal promised to strengthen bandh on Ghaggar besides expediting relief operations.

That Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the flood situation in Roopnagar, Patiala, Sangrur , SAS Nagar , Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Districts and felt that out of flood hit 2.5 Lac acres of farmland situation of crops was grave in 1.5 lac acre of land. He said that though water had started receding in certain parts of the state but total crop loss to the farmers could be Rs. 480 crores, according to the initial estimates.

Approving the plan prepared by Director Agriculture Mr. Balwinder Singh, the Deputy Chief Minister suggested that Agriculture department should advise farmers to sow short maturity paddy varieties rather than long maturity paddy varieties. He said that RH10 Hybrid gets matured in 110 days , Sugandh 2 and 3 take 120 to 125 days for maturing ,whereas PUSA 44 ordinarily sown by the farmers takes 145-150 days for maturing. He said that to save time, possibility of direct plantation of paddy of PR 120 , Gobinda, Sarbat, Devgoda varieties could also be explored as farmers might not get labour for transplantation of paddy. He said that since there would be acute shortage of saplings of paddy, he appealed to farmers having suphlus saplings, not to use saplings as fodder but provide such saplings to the flood hit farmers.

Mr. Badal said that though Punjab would try to ensure that most of the land under the flood water could be retrieved and made productive for re-sowing the crops at the earliest but sedimentation of flood hit land may affect one lac acre of land and it may not be possible to immediately sow crops in such areas.

Asking the agriculture department to encourage farmers to go for alternate crops such as Moongi , Meize and Toria and asked the department to ensure that stockists of seeds do not hoard seeds of such crops and provide them to the farmers at the fixed rate. He expressed concern at exorbitant rates being charged by traders from the farmers. He said that Agriculture department and Punjab Seeds Corporation should conduct raids to book such seed dealers.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that crops in Patiala and Fathegarh Sahib district was worst affected and a pockets of Sangrur near Ghaggar also suffered damage in the floods. He asked the Agriculture department to also make a plan for cotton belt of Mansa and Mour because flood water has started reaching in that area also.

Mr. Badal appealed to the central Government to provide liberal aid to state farmers so that they can re-sow the crops to fullfill national target of paddy production.

Expressing his solidarity with the flood hit farmers Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal announced that Punjab Government would provide enhanced compensation to flood hit farmers. He said that after assessing loss in special gidawari, farmers whose loss of crops was more than 70 % would get Rs.5000 per acre whereas in the case of loss between 50 to 70 % the compensation would be Rs.3000 per acre and for below 50% loss compensation would be Rs. 2000 per acre. Mr. Badal said that it was much more than the central government norms of Rs. 1600 per acre in the case of total loss and Punjab Government would be provided enhanced compensation from its own funds. Mr. Badal said that in the case of loss of human life in the floods Rs. One Lac compensation has already been disbursed to 21 families. He said that loss of live stock, a compensation of Rs. 10000 per animal was being provided.

Asking the authorities of affected districts to provide dry ration, portable water , green fodder , chlorine tablets to the victims, Mr. Badal said that we should also remain prepared for after effects of flood.

It may added that 234 villages of Patiala , 200 villages of Ludhiana, 190 villages of Fathegarh Sahib, 58 villages of Roopnagar, 55 vilages of sas Nagar and 26 villages of Sangrur districts have been affected by 32 breaches in Ghaggar and Tangri. According to the latest reports 1966 KM of roads have been damaged and washed away in the floods. The teams of NDRF have been deployed in the flood hit districts whereas 75 Medical teams were providing medical assistance to the affected people. It was informed in the meeting work on plugging 28 breaches was being carried out on war footing whereas remaining four breaches were still in accessible.

Meanwhile 40 MM rain in Bhimpur , 27 MM in Madhopur in District Gurdaspur , 20 MM in Ropar , 28 MM in Adampur and 10 MM in Siswan was recorded during last 24 hours.

Water level in Bhakra was recorded at 1551. 43 feet, 17.56 feet above the last year level whereas inflow in Dam was 41175 cusecs against 37729 cusecs of last year. The level of Pong dam was 20 feet above last year level whereas inflow was recorded 16936 cusecs against 6022 cusecs of last year.

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SUKHBIR ASKS CONGRESS TO DESIST FROM POLITICIZING FLOODS

  • VISITS FLOOD HIT AREAS OF SARDULGARH
  • PROMISES STRENGTHENING OF GHAGGAR BANDH

Sardulgharh(Mansa) , July 11, 2010

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today advised Congress party to desist from politicizing the calamity of floods in the State.

Talking to media persons after visiting the flood hit areas of Sardulgarh Tehsil, Mr.Badal said that it was unprecedented time of calamity for the people of Punjab as 2.5 Lac people have been marooned by unprecedented floods due to breach in Ghaggar and all political parties rather than playing politics should join hands in relief operations. He said that time of calamity not to play politics but to collectively work for the welfare of people. Mr. Badal said that due to record rains of 144 MM in two hours and heavy inflow from catchment area of Ghaggar folling in Haryana Six districts of Punjab including Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, SAS Nagar, Roop Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib suffered extensive damage and first priority of the government to provide relief to the flood hit people.

Chairing a meeting of district officials Mr. Badal stressed upon the need of expediting relief operations besides providing food, green fodder, medical facilities and chlorine tablets to the affected villagers. Mr. Badal also visited two villages of Sardulgarh and advised the district administration to excercise extra vigil on the embankments of Ghaggar especially in the village Mirpur Kalan , Mirpur Khurad , Sardulawala, Bhunder where there was chance of Ghaggar overflowing was more if water level rises furthur.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab Government fully in control of flood situation and total state machinery has been activated in relief operations . He said that Health department had dispatched special teams to flood hit areas and 24 hours control rooms were keeping an eye to total situation.

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