Punjab govt to extend relief to flood victims

The CM said he has also asked the co-operative authorities to defer the recovery of loans from farmers

Punjab government today asked authorities to disburse within a week outstanding dues pertaining to pension and Shagun scheme to eligible beneficiaries in flood hit areas.

Addressing a gathering during his visit to flood-affected areas of the district here, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal said people belonging to schedule caste and other weaker sections have been the worst-hit during floods, which caused massive damage to infrastructure and standing crops in the region.

"It is our moral duty to help these sections of society, who have been badly shattered by recent floods, in this hour of crisis," Badal said adding, authorities have been directed to disburse the outstanding dues pertaining to pension and Shagun scheme to its beneficiaries within a week.

Farmers in the region have also suffered a lot as their standing crops were inundated due to the natural calamity, the Chief Minister lamented.

Badal said he has asked Chairman of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to collect the security fee for applying power connections to install water pumps, from the farmers in easy instalments.

He said "this would assist in easing out financial burden on the farmers besides extending a helping hand to them in this hour of crisis".

The Chief Minister said he has also asked the co-operative authorities to defer the recovery of loans from farmers, adding that the peasants could make payment of fertilisers purchased through them in instalments.