Jalandhar, September 7 — Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has urged the Centre to sanction a ₹20,000-crore relief and rehabilitation package for Punjab to address widespread damage caused by recent floods. He also demanded a complete waiver of loans taken by farmers and farm labourers, including borrowings from banks and cooperative societies.
“The nation owes it to the brave farmers of Punjab who ushered in the green revolution and made the state the food basket of the country, to stand with them in this hour of crisis,” Badal said, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the state.
The SAD leader said the package should cover compensation for crop losses, damaged houses, and destroyed infrastructure such as roads and power lines. “The current loss has broken their back,” he noted, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to compensate farmers despite Punjab facing natural calamities for three consecutive years.
During his visits to Sanghowal, Meowal, Sasrali and other affected villages, Badal distributed over ₹20 lakh to village committees and provided diesel for bundh strengthening operations. He also toured bundh sites in Gidderpindi, Darewal, Gatta Mundi, Kasi and Thammuwal, where he contributed another ₹15 lakh and 25,000 litres of diesel to support relief efforts.
The SAD has called an emergency meeting to draw up plans for removing sand deposits from flooded fields using earth-moving machinery and volunteer support. Stressing the importance of restoring farmland, Badal said, “Farmers have the right to desilt their fields. I will lead this initiative and I am ready to face any action to safeguard the interest of farmers.”
Senior leaders including Bachittar Singh Kohar, Rajkamal Singh Gill, Baldev Singh Khehra and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon accompanied him during the visits.
