CM Mann distributed cheques to 631 farmers, delivers record Rs 20,000 per acre compensation within 30 days
Babushahi Bureau
Ajnala (Amritsar), October 13, 2025: Setting a new benchmark of public service delivery, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday handed over cheques worth Rs 5.70 crore of compensation to 631 beneficiaries within 30 days, despite a deadline of 45 days, after the floods had caused havoc in the district.
Addressing the gathering during a function to disburse cheque of compensation to the flood victims, the Chief Minister said that on September 11, he had announced that after conducting a special survey (Girdauri), the compensation distribution will begin within 45 days.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that although the 45-day deadline ends on October 28, the state government has started distributing compensation ahead of schedule through tireless effort.
He profusely thanked the officers and staff of the Revenue Department and the district administration for their hard work.
The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the flood affected people and said that the natural calamity had severely disrupted life across many districts of Punjab.
He said that with the grace of God, the state has succeeded in overcoming this disaster adding that none other state could have done it in this way except this sacred land.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is indebted to every individual, both within the country and abroad, who shared the agony of people during these difficult times and extended a helping hand to them.
The Chief Minister said that it was not only Punjab’s farmers who incurred losses in these floods, but the entire nation suffered because Punjab contributes the largest share to the country’s food reserves.
He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that due to the hard work of our farmers, no one in the country sleeps hungry.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the soldiers from the state protect the borders and the farmers safeguard the nation’s food security.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have always been resilient by nature adding that even though the crisis was grave, our courage and determination were stronger.
He said that people of the Majha region, in particular, have faced great hardships firstly as they were living under the constant threat during India-Pakistan tensions, and secondly they faced the devastation caused by floods.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to help the people, the state government has launched Mission Chardi Kala adding that Chardi Kala means maintaining high spirits even in the toughest of times, staying strong during sorrow and keeping the flame of hope alive even in darkness.
The Chief Minister said that he had appealed to philanthropists around the world to contribute to Mission Chardi Kala to help the flood victims.
He said that it is heartening to see that generous people are contributing in large numbers through the portal rangla.punjab.gov.in. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that today, from the holy city of Amritsar, the distribution of compensation to flood victims is being launched.
The Chief Minister further said that in Amritsar district, 198 villages were affected by the floods and according to the special survey reports, crops over 59,793 acres were damaged.
He said that 958 houses were completely destroyed, and 3,711 were partially damaged adding that a total of 307 cattle were lost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to ensure transparency and timely distribution, for the first time, assessments were done through an online portal.
The Chief Minister said that during the floods, 10 people lost their lives in the district, and each of their families has already received Rs 4 lakh in compensation.
He said that today, 669 affected individuals in the district are being given a total of Rs 6.7 crore for losses to crops, houses, and livestock adding that the remaining beneficiaries will soon receive their compensation directly in their bank accounts.
The Chief Minister said that starting from Tuesday, Cabinet Ministers will begin distributing compensation in the remaining 19 districts, covering a total of 825 villages.
He said that a special survey was conducted in 2,508 villages to assess crop damage and according to reports, about 3.5 lakh acres of crops were severely affected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that objections have been sought to ensure no farmer is treated unfairly adding that out of these 2,508 villages, objections in 825 villages have already been resolved, and requisite fund has been approved for 20 affected districts.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time, farmers are being paid Rs 20,000 per acre, the highest in the country adding that under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), only Rs 6,800 per acre can be given, of which the Punjab Government contributes Rs 1,700.
He said that the state government had requested the central government to provide Rs 50,000 per acre, but no response has been received yet. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time, the Punjab Government is increasing the amount from its own funds and providing Rs 20,000 per acre.
The Chief Minister said that out of this, the state adds Rs 13,200 extra per acre (in addition to Rs 1,700 under SDRF), making it a total of Rs 14,900 per acre borne by the state adding that by October 28, compensation distribution will begin in all affected villages. He said that survey was conducted in 2,291 villages to assess house damage and according to reports, in 1,846 villages, 30,806 houses/sheds/huts were damaged.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a total of Rs 180 crore will be distributed as compensation starting from October 23 adding that for fully collapsed houses Rs 1,20,000 will be given, for partially damaged houses the amount has been increased from Rs 6,500 (as given by the previous government) to Rs 40,000.
The Chief Minister said that a survey was conducted in 2,342 villages, and reports of livestock loss came from 355 villages. He said that according to the reports, 1,766 cattle were lost, as well as 2.2 lakh poultry birds and a total of Rs 7 crore will be distributed as compensation for this loss. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in a landmark initiative the state government has approved “Jisda Khet, Ohdi Ret” policy as per which farmers can freely remove or sell the sand and silt deposited on their fields without requiring any permit.
The Chief Minister said that free wheat seeds for farmers across 5 lakh acres of flood-affected land and free health camps organized in flood-hit villages for medical check-ups adding that a special vaccination drive was launched for livestock.
He said that such compensations during the earlier regimes were a sham as they were miniscule and rubbed salt into the wounds of the aggrieved families. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even during those horrendous days, when the state government was standing solidly with the flood victims, the leaders of opposition, including Union Ministers, came just for photo ops.
The Chief Minister said that the state has suffered around a loss of Rs 14,000 crore during the floods adding that the state government has apprised the Union government about it. He said that instead of bailing out the state from this crisis the Union government is unfortunately adopting dilly delaying tactics adding that the state will not beg for funds from the centre.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they are not seeking any mercy from the Union government but they want the legitimate share of state in the funds like RDF and others, which have been illegally stalled by the Union government.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government has set up Schools of Eminence across the state to impart quality education to the students as a result of which 265 students from these and other government schools have qualified for the JEE Mains exam. Likewise, he said that 44 students have cleared JEE Advanced and 848 students have qualified for NEET. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened in the last three years, and this number will soon cross 1,000 adding that so far these clinics have provided free medicine to 1.75 crore people.
The Chief Minister categorically said that the state government is making all out efforts for the well being of the state and the welfare of its people. He said that the state government has given government jobs to more than 55,000 eligible youth completely on the basis of merit. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sadak Surakhya Force has been constituted by the state government due to which casualties in road accidents have witnessed a dip by 48% and the initiative has been hailed by the Government of India too.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs.
He said that those leaders who had patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars adding these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the past no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins.
The Chief Minister said that, surprisingly, when this Akali leader was arrested, the unholy nexus between the political parties was exposed as they cried for human rights violations and demanded special cells and facilities for the accused. He said that people of state have ousted the political parties that used to play musical chairs of power to loot them after every five years adding that his government has been given a chance by people to serve them and they will work hard to fulfill their expectations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the opposition leaders start their day by slamming him just because they are envious of the pro-people decision taken by his government.
The Chief Minister advised Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu that politics is not a 9 to 5 job but a leader should be always available to the people. He said that these leaders indulge in politics as per their own convenience and not for the service of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that the former Punjab Minister posts one picture from New Delhi causing heartburn amongst the other leaders of his party adding that this leader has no fruitful agenda for Punjab or its people.
On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and others were also present.