Punjab CM continues tour of affected areas, announces free paddy saplings for farmers

Continuing his spree of visits to flood-hit areas of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday inspected the ongoing work of plugging the breach in the Dhussi band in the capital Chandigarh.
The Chief Minister took a ferry and went amongst the masses to inspect the ongoing work on plugging the breach that had occurred in the wee hours of Monday. He appreciated the exemplary work done by volunteers led by eminent environmentalists and the district administration in tackling the breach on a war footing. CM Mann said no stone would be left unturned in bailing out the people in this hour of crisis. The Chief Minister also noted the large-scale destruction of the paddy crop in several areas due to the heavy flow of water.
However, he said, to safeguard the interests of the farmers the state government would soon provide free paddy saplings of a high-yield variety to the farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that he had already directed the Punjab Agriculture University, PUNSEED, Agriculture Department and others to plant various varieties of saplings. The Chief Minister said that the saplings would be ready in another “four to five days” after which it will be disbursed free of cost to farmers in the state. He said that the water has affected around 15 districts of the state where these saplings if needed, will be distributed to the food growers.
CM Mann said, “The state government is with the farmers of the state in this hour of severe crisis.” The Chief Minister also stated: “It is strange that while I am busy serving the Punjabis affected by the floods, the Opposition is grabbing this opportunity to settle political scores.” “It is shameful,” he added “on the part of leaders of the Opposition that they are stooping this low by mudslinging during this hour of crisis.”
Mann said that once the security and safety of the people of the state is ensured, he would “surely reply to these idle and rejected political leaders.” The Chief Minister said that those who are boasting that the Centre has issued Rs 218 crore must remember that this fund was issued on 10 July. He said that the state government can’t spend this amount in four days adding that damage has been minimised as the government had taken preventive measures “well in advance.” He said that these “shameless leaders” must peep into their conscience before giving such statements. The CM also questioned BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar, asking him why he was mum when Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had misused money for Rural Development Funds. He added that Jakhar had been the state Congress chief during that regime which stopped the flow of funds by the Centre. Bhagwant Mann said that the state BJP chief owes an answer to Punjab and its people for jeopardising the development of work. The Chief Minister further said that it is heartening to learn that water is receding quickly, due to which relief and rescue works are getting impetus. He also lauded the BSF and NDRF teams for giving a major helping hand to the state government for relief works. Bhagwant Mann said that the state is “known for serving the masses in hostile situations and we will overcome this challenge too.”
Mann also that Punjabis had once again displayed rare courage and strength to combat this crisis. “Punjabis are blessed with an indomitable spirit of fighting against all odds due to which they have survived for ages.” Bhagwant Mann said that the people of Punjab had helped each other in a big way by displaying remarkable bonhomie and harmony.