In a special two-day session, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding a Rs 20,000 crore relief package from the Centre for flood-hit farmers and infrastructure rebuilding. The House strongly condemned the Union Government for its “lack of response” and failure to release promised aid. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that flood compensation will begin from October 15, with payments reaching farmers and affected families before Diwali.
Punjab Assembly Stands United on Flood Relief
Chandigarh | September 29, 2025 — The Punjab Assembly on Monday sent a strong political message to New Delhi by unanimously passing a resolution against the BJP-led Union Government for its “apathy” towards the state’s devastating floods.
The House demanded a comprehensive special package of Rs 20,000 crore to compensate farmers, rebuild washed-out infrastructure, and restore livelihoods across flood-affected districts.
The resolution also slammed the Centre for not releasing the Rs 1,600 crore that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced during his recent visit to Punjab.
Condemnation of Centre’s Silence
The resolution minced no words in criticizing the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for ignoring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s repeated requests for a meeting. It described the PMO’s silence as an “insult to the people of Punjab” and accused the Centre of obstructing the state from fully presenting the scale of the disaster.
“This House categorically condemns the lack of response and the failure of the BJP-led Union Government to sanction a special financial package commensurate with the scale of the worst floods faced by Punjab in decades,” the resolution read.
Notably, the two BJP legislators were absent during the voting on the resolution.
Compensation Package for Farmers and Families
Winding up the debate on flood rehabilitation, CM Bhagwant Mann announced that compensation will begin from October 15. Ministers will personally visit districts to oversee the process, ensuring timely delivery before Diwali.
Key announcements include:
- Crop Damage Relief:
- Rs 20,000 per acre for 75%–100% crop loss
- Rs 10,000 per acre for 33%–75% damage
- Proportional relief for 26%–33% damage
- Housing Relief: Rs 1.20 lakh for complete house damage
- Sand Extraction: Rs 7,200 per acre for farmers removing flood-deposited sand
- Land Loss: Rs 47,500 per hectare for farmland washed away by rivers
Mann added that a special girdawari (survey) is underway to assess losses, assuring families that the state will begin disbursing funds well before the festive season.
Punjab’s Worst Floods Since 1988
The resolution highlighted that Punjab has witnessed its worst floods in nearly four decades, impacting lakhs of families and leaving behind widespread devastation. The House compared the 2025 floods to the catastrophic 1988 deluge, which affected more than 34 lakh people.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab cannot handle the crisis alone and reiterated the demand for at least Rs 20,000 crore from the Centre to meet rehabilitation costs.
Heated Exchanges in the House
Earlier in the day, proceedings were briefly adjourned following a heated exchange between Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema. Cheema alleged that while Bajwa criticized the government’s relief measures, he himself had pursued questionable land deals.
The session, which began on Friday, was convened solely to discuss rehabilitation efforts after the floods.