Mann government to spend ₹100 crore on cleaning 2300 flood-affected villages

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a press conference on Saturday and announced a major relief and cleaning operation for the flood-affected areas. He said that the flood water has receded from many areas but the government is going to launch a comprehensive "Safai Maha Abhiyan" to restore normal life by clearing the sand and debris left behind.

2300 villages will be cleaned by 24 September

Chief Minister Mann announced that 2300 villages affected by floods will be covered under this mega campaign. He said that JCB, tractor-trolley and labourers will be arranged in every village so that the debris and sand brought by the flood can be removed. A budget of Rs 100 crore has been kept for the campaign. Initially, every village will be given Rs 1 lakh as token money and later more funds will be released as per the need. The Punjab government will bear all the expenses of cleaning and the target has been set to complete this entire campaign by September 24.

Medical camps and fogging to prevent diseases

In view of the threat of diseases after the floods, the government has also prepared a big plan for health. CM Mann said that fogging will be done to prevent the spread of diseases in rural areas. Apart from this: Medical camps will be set up in all 2300 affected villages. In the 500 villages where there are Aam Aadmi clinics, these services will be strengthened and in the remaining villages, camps will be set up in Panchayat Bhawans or schools. 550 ambulances have been arranged for emergency services.

Special relief campaign for animals

The Chief Minister said that about 2.5 lakh animals in 713 villages have been affected by the floods. A special campaign will be launched for their care. A team of veterinarians has been deployed in every affected village which will work to protect the animals from diseases. Also, debris and spoiled fodder will be removed from the animal enclosures and farmers will also be provided potassium for the animals.

The Chief Minister also said that all common places (public places) in rural areas will be completely repaired by October 15. He also appealed to social welfare organizations to help the government in this mega campaign.