New Delhi: The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to deal with a difficult disaster like floods. He has given instructions to speed up the relief and rehabilitation operations for the public. The Chief Minister himself is reviewing the ground situation in the flood-affected areas, while the entire cabinet and administrative staff are on the front round the clock. This is not just an emergency response but a living example of a responsible and sensitive government, which stands with every Punjabi in the hour of crisis.
Chief Minister Mann not only met the victims by visiting the flood-affected villages of Gurdaspur and Pathankot, but also assured every family that the Punjab government will provide them relief under all circumstances. He gave strict instructions to the officers that no negligence will be tolerated in relief and rescue operations and the safety of life and property of every person should be ensured.
Leave of officers and employees cancelled
The Mann government has given top priority to flood relief work and has cancelled the leave of all officers and employees. The state administration has been directed to maintain 24×7 ground level monitoring and provide relief to every affected village. The entire cabinet has been given the responsibility to stay in the field and monitor the situation and maintain direct communication with the public.
Taking a historic step, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also dedicated his personal helicopter for relief work. This helicopter is being used to quickly transport people stranded in areas like Gurdaspur and Pathankot to safer places. This clearly shows that this government does not just give orders, but itself stands at the front.
Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak also visited the affected villages and distributed relief material along with the administration and reviewed the local arrangements. Every minister of the government, every district administration, every disaster relief unit, be it the Army, BSF, NDRF or SDRF, all are dedicated to the same goal, to keep every Punjabi safe.
The water level of the Ravi river increased
The water level of the Ravi river has increased due to the release of 1,10,000 cusecs of water from Ranjit Sagar Dam, due to which water has reached many villages. But due to the promptness of the relief work, more than 70 people were safely evacuated from Jaggochak Tanda village of Gurdaspur and a special operation was launched to rescue the family trapped in Tas village of Pathankot.
The government has also strengthened the arrangements for relief camps and langar. Langar service has been started in the schools of Narnot Jaimal Singh and Taragarh, while relief centers are being operated in many villages including Keedi Khurd, Kathlaur, Thuthowal, Bamiyal, Bani Lodhi, and Ferozepur Kalan. Marada, Bahamani, Gahaldi and Gurudwara Shri Tahli Sahib of Gurdaspur have been converted into relief camps, where complete arrangements have been made for medicines, food and accommodation.
CM Mann’s appeal to the common people
The Chief Minister appealed to the people not to pay heed to rumours and to stay away from the banks of rivers and streams. He also said that this is not the time for politics but for service and the Mann government has fulfilled this duty of service with full strength and commitment.
Today, when the whole country is watching how a state government is engaged in protecting people even in times of disaster, the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab is emerging as an example.