100% Road Connectivity, Power & Water Supply Restored in Flood-Affected Areas: Harjot Singh Bains

Singhpur-Plaasi villagers return to their homes from relief shelters – Cabinet Minister

Damaged wooden bridge at Bela Dhiani to be converted into a strong motorable bridge

Special Girdawari exercise underway by revenue officers in flood-affected areas

Chandigarh/ Nangal, September 10:Punjab Cabinet Minister for Education and Information & Public Relations, Harjot Singh Bains, today announced that in his constituency Sri Anandpur Sahib, all flood-affected villages have had 100% road connectivity, power supply, and water supply restored to ensure relief for residents.

He informed that villagers of Singhpur-Plaasi have now started returning to their homes from relief shelters following the receding of floodwaters.

S. Bains, who has been personally working on the ground in flood-affected areas for several days, stated that villages Harsa Bela, Patti Dulchi, and Bela Shiv Singh, which had been cut off due to floodwater, are being reconnected. While 90% of the work was completed yesterday, some mechanical issues caused a delay late at night. However, he confirmed that the work would be fully completed within hours today.

The Minister added that extensive fogging and disinfectant spraying has been carried out in Singhpur-Plaasi homes, with the administration striving to ensure a hygienic environment. He said that 100% power supply has been restored, with electric poles, wires, and transformers repaired and made functional. Similarly, 100% water supply has also been restored, with the Water Supply and Sanitation Department reconnecting pipelines with the help of NDRF boats.

S. Bains further announced that the damaged wooden bridge at Bela Dhiani will now be replaced with a strong, motorable bridge, ensuring long-term safety and better connectivity. He also highlighted that the Revenue Department is actively conducting a special Girdawari exercise in flood-affected areas, which will be completed in the coming days. The reports will then be submitted to the government for compensation to affected families.

It is worth mentioning that for the past several weeks, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains has been continuously focusing on his constituency, working closely with the administration on the ground. He also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of AAP volunteers, panchayat members, sarpanches, and youth clubs, who worked alongside him during this crisis.

S. Bains informed that medical teams and the Animal Husbandry Department are actively working on the ground to support residents in flood-affected areas. He said that free medical services are being provided to the people, while a special vaccination drive for livestock is also underway. To ensure proper care of animals, 10 truckloads of fodder have already been distributed, and the supply of food and other essential items to affected families is being carried out on a regular basis.

Expressing gratitude, S. Bains said, “I heartily thank all those who played a positive role and extended their support to the people of Punjab, especially in my constituency, during these difficult days of natural disaster.”

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FD Approves Six-Month Maternity Leave for ASHA Workers: Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh, September 10-In a landmark move to uphold the dignity and welfare of grassroots healthcare workers, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and ASHA Facilitators working in Health and Family Welfare Department under the National Health Mission (NHM) will now be entitled to six months of maternity leave. This benefit will be extended under the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Cheema said that this decision aligns with the government's existing policy of providing 180 days of fully paid maternity leave to all its female employees. He clarified that this leave will not be deducted from any other leave accounts. The Finance Minister also highlighted that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and a circular dated April 12, 2017, already cover all female employees, whether they are working on a contractual basis, as consultants, or through an agency. He said that the Finance Department had already granted approval for maternity benefits to contract, consultant, and outsourced employees.

“In light of this, the Finance Department has now officially approved the Health and Family Welfare Department's request to grant six months of maternity leave to ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961”, he added.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this decision is expected to have a transformative impact on the lives of ASHA workers, many of whom juggle demanding professional responsibilities with family and caregiving roles. “By institutionalizing maternity leave, the Punjab Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the health, dignity, and empowerment of women at the frontlines of public service”, he added

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Flood Relief Package of Rs.1600 crore for Punjab given by Prime Minister is miserably meagre, Says Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Chandigarh, 10 September :Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that a relief package of Rs 1600/- crore for Punjab announced by Prime Minister of India is miserable meagre. He added that rupees twenty thousand crores have been lost in this catastrophic floods and centre government is giving merely Rs 1600/- crore which is meager in commensurate to loss incurred due to ravaged floods in Punjab.

He further said that Punjabis are even then highly grateful to the central government whatever they have given to us. Punjabi's know how to stand on their feet after falling. Even in the past, Punjabis have made properties, mansions, cars, palaces, tractors by doing hard work and they will continue to do so in the future.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the blessings of the Guru Sahibs are always with us. Punjabi's always bow down their heads in front of the Guru Sahib and the Guru Sahib always fills their lap with everything.

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Lives of Flood-Affected Families Getting Back on Track with Government’s Efforts

100% Road, Power, and Water Supply Restored in Flood-Hit Areas – Harjot Singh Bains

Financial Assistance Distributed to Affected Families by Dr. Balbir Singh and Lal Chand Kataruchak

Timely Action Saved Ghaggar-Belt Villages from Major Loss – Barinder Kumar Goyal

Mohinder Bhagat Directs Revenue Officers to Expedite Verification of Damage Claims

Chandigarh, September 10:The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is working tirelessly, day and night, to provide immediate relief and assistance to flood-affected people while resolutely tackling this natural disaster. With a decline in rainfall and water levels, the State Government has accelerated relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts, enabling flood-hit families to gradually return to normal life.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains informed that 100% road connectivity, electricity, and water supply have been restored in flood-affected villages of Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. Residents of Singhpur-Plassi have begun returning from relief camps to their homes. He further said that connectivity to cut-off villages such as Harsa Bela, Patti Dulchi, and Bela Shiv Singh is being restored, and the wooden bridge at Bela Dhyani will soon be replaced with a robust motorable bridge.

He added that fumigation and spraying of medicines has been completed, special vaccination drives by health and animal husbandry teams are underway, and 10 truckloads of fodder have already been distributed. Special girdawari (crop loss survey) is being carried out by revenue officials, and compensation will be disbursed based on its report.

Cabinet Ministers Dr. Balbir Singh and Lal Chand Kataruchak today distributed financial aid of ₹51,000 each to 12 affected families in villages Baknour, Pamma, Ambi Khattkaran, Kolian Adda, and Anyal of Bhoa constituency. During their visit, they interacted with local residents, listened to their concerns, and reiterated the government’s commitment to provide concrete solutions.

Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, while reviewing the situation near villages along the Ghaggar river including Krael, Moonak, and Phoolad, said that the Punjab Government has strengthened river embankments, which has saved nearby villages and towns from major damage even though water levels remained above danger mark for several days.

He further stated that the Punjab Government and District Administration are on full alert, ensuring immediate sandbagging or any other necessary measure wherever required. Officials have been deployed at every kilometer along the Ghaggar embankments to address any issue promptly.

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, while presiding over a meeting at the District Administrative Complex in Jalandhar, directed revenue officers to immediately verify claims concerning damage to houses caused by rain and floods so that no affected family is deprived of compensation. He instructed patwaris to conduct door-to-door inspections and reaffirmed that the Punjab Government stands firmly with every affected family during this crisis.

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115 RELIEF CAMPS PROVIDING SHELTER TO 4533 PEOPLE: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN

23,297 PERSONS EVACUATED TILL DATE

88 MORE VILLAGES HIT, ONE FATALITY REPORTED AND CROP DAMAGE AROUND 1.92 LAKH HECTARES IN PAST 24 HOURS

Chandigarh, September 10:Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian on Wednesday informed that the flood situation in the state remained severe over the last 24 hours with 88 more villages, 374 people and 55 hectares of farmland impacted. The cumulative figure has now risen to 2185 affected villages across 22 districts with the number of affected persons reaching 3,88,466.

The Minister reported that one more casualty occurred in Ferozepur during the last 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 53 across 15 districts. Meanwhile, three persons are still untraceable in Pathankot.

He further said that 91 more people were rescued during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of evacuees to 23,297. Currently, 115 relief camps are operational across the state, accommodating 4533 people.

On the agricultural front, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian shared that the total crop area damaged has climbed to 1,91,981.45 hectares spread over 18 districts.

The Revenue Minister added that flood havoc has struck 2185 villages across 22 districts till September 10 with the affected population crossing 3,88,466.

The Cabinet Minister highlighted that 14 NDRF teams, 2 SDRF teams, 18 Army columns and 1 Engineer Task Force are actively deployed in flood-ravaged regions. Around 30 helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army remain engaged in rescue missions. Besides this, 182 boats are pressed into service as part of the ongoing relief operations.