Punjab announces Rs 2 lakh aid for each Sangrur accident victim’s family, Rs 50,000 for injured
Eight MGNREGA workers were killed and 12 injured after a speeding car hit them on Jakhal-Lehragaga road
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab0, October 19, 2026: Punjab Cabinet Ministers Barinder Kumar Goyal and Dr Balbir Singh on Monday visited Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala to meet injured MGNREGA workers from Ali Sher village who were hurt in a road accident that claimed eight lives.
The ministers said the Punjab Government would provide financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each to the injured. The government will also bear the cost of medical treatment for the injured workers.
During the visit, the ministers enquired about the condition of the patients and directed hospital authorities to ensure the best possible treatment without any inconvenience. They also said arrangements for food and refreshments would be made for the hospitalised workers and their family members.
The accident took place around 4.30 pm on October 18 on the Jakhal-Lehragaga road near Ali Sher village in the Lehragaga Assembly constituency. According to the information released by the Punjab Government, the MGNREGA workers were planting saplings and carrying out roadside cleaning work when a speeding car hit them as they stopped to drink water.
Eight workers died in the accident, while 12 others sustained injuries. Five seriously injured women workers were admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, while the remaining injured were taken to the Civil Hospital in Sangrur.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the state government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, stood firmly with the affected families and would extend all possible assistance.
The ministers said the condition of the injured patients was improving and that they were out of danger. They added that the Sangrur district administration had made arrangements to assist the victims and their families.
Dr Balbir Singh said the accident had brought immense grief to eight families and assured that strict legal action would be taken against the driver allegedly responsible for the incident.
The ministers expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Director-Principal of the medical college Dr R.P.S. Sibia, Medical Superintendent Dr Vishal Chopra, Bhawanigarh Block Development and Panchayat Officer Sukhwinder Singh Tiwana, Dr Paramjit Singh Raja and Dr Vinod Dangwal were also present during the visit.