PM Modi’s ₹1,600 Crore Flood Relief Sparks Debate Among Punjab Farmers

Farmers’ unions in Punjab question PM Modi’s ₹1,600 crore flood relief package, demanding direct transfers and clarity on fund allocation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a ₹1,600 crore flood relief package for Punjab during his visit to Gurdaspur has drawn sharp criticism from farmers’ unions. Farmers argue that the package lacks clarity on its allocation and fear that the funds may not directly benefit those most affected.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), raised doubts about whether the relief is meant for agriculture, infrastructure, or housing. He questioned if it would be separate from or merged with the ₹20,000 per acre package already announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. “Farmers had demanded ₹70,000 per acre. Dividing the Central package across nearly five lakh acres works out to less than ₹10,000 per acre, if it even reaches us,” Pandher stated.

Farmers’ unions also criticized the Punjab government for not utilizing the ₹12,000 crore disaster management reserve fund. They demanded that the Centre transfer relief funds directly into farmers’ bank accounts. Abohar-based farmer Sukhjinder Singh Rajan stressed, “Whether ₹1,600 crore or ₹60 crore, unless it goes directly into farmers’ accounts, it makes no difference.” He also highlighted the lack of compensation policies for orchard owners, who contribute significantly to agricultural diversification.

Raminder Singh Patiala, general secretary of Kirti Kisan Union, dismissed the package as “just peanuts,” underscoring widespread dissatisfaction among farming communities.

Farmers’ unions maintain that unless the government ensures transparency and direct benefit transfers, the relief package will not adequately address the hardships faced by Punjab’s flood-hit farmers.