Badal dares Bajwa to get compensation for flood victims hiked

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dared state Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa to raise the compensation amount meant for flood victims from the Centre.
Addressing a gathering while visiting flood-affected areas of the district, Badal said, rather than shedding crocodile tears, Congress leaders should take up the case of enhancing compensation given to victims of natural tragedy with the Centre.
Criticising Congress leaders for their silence on riders imposed by the Centre for assisting flood victims, the Chief Minister said, by issuing senseless and irrational statements, they were just rubbing salt on the wounds of the victims who have been virtually ruined by the fury of floods.

Badal said, statements issued by Congress leaders and Union Ministers from the state reflected their complete insensitivity towards the serious problem of water-logging and exposed their anti-Punjab face.
It was high time that all political parties stand united in extending a helping hand to flood victims, the Chief Minister said, while seeking people's support and cooperation for constructing drains as per the natural flow of water.
State government officials are working overtime to assess the entire situation and chalk out a master plan to ensure that new drains were constructed in a proper manner to check this menace, Badal said adding that he had also sought support of experts from the Centre for strengthening, widening and upgrading the drains.

A Planning Commission team would visit the state soon to ascertain the entire situation, he said adding, "The government cannot work in isolation and people's support is required.