Chandigarh, August 31: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking urgent directions for the relief and rehabilitation of farmers affected by recent floods in both states.
The PIL, likely to be taken up next week, was filed by Shubham, a Fazilka-based lawyer practising in the high court. It seeks immediate enforcement of minimum standards of relief and rehabilitation under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, including provision of food, potable water, sanitation, shelter, lighting, medical and veterinary care. The petition also requests the formation of an oversight committee, headed by a high court judge, to monitor implementation.
In addition, the PIL asks the Punjab government to conduct a special “girdawari” (assessment) of all affected villages and ensure timely compensation for farmers, households, small traders, and livestock owners. It also calls on the central government to activate and disclose emergency action plans for the Pong and Bhakra reservoirs, in line with the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
The petition stresses the deployment of modern technology and equipment for early warning alerts and recommends annual mock drills to prevent future loss of life and property.
Further, the PIL seeks directions for an independent technical audit of vulnerable embankments, bridges, and spurs in flood-affected corridors, including Ferozepur and Fazilka, to be conducted by expert institutions. Authorities are asked to submit a time-bound action plan following the audit.
The plea underscores the need for both immediate relief measures and long-term structural interventions to safeguard flood-prone areas, highlighting the urgency of coordinated action between state and central agencies.
