Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday called on the Centre to revise its disaster relief norms, arguing that the current compensation package for flood victims is “grossly inadequate” to match the scale of losses suffered by farmers and rural households.

During a visit to flood-affected villages in Ferozepur district, where he toured submerged fields in a boat, Mann said the notified norms under the Ministry of Home Affairs do not reflect the ground realities. “The per-acre compensation to farmers is far too meagre given the steep rise in agricultural input costs,” he stressed, urging that at least ₹50,000 per acre be granted for crop losses.

The Chief Minister also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an increase in ex-gratia compensation for families of deceased flood victims from the current ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh. Likewise, he proposed raising aid for those who suffer partial or permanent disability—up to ₹1.5 lakh for 40–60% disability and ₹5 lakh for severe disability, instead of the existing ₹74,000 and ₹2.5 lakh, respectively.

Mann said more than 1,300 villages across Punjab have been affected, with nearly three lakh acres of farmland—mostly paddy—under water just weeks before harvest. In addition to extensive crop damage, the floods have led to significant livestock losses, impacting thousands of rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry.

He added that while the state government is extending relief and rescue measures, Union-imposed restrictions are limiting the scope of aid. “This is the time for the Centre to adopt a liberal approach,” Mann urged, stressing that timely compensation is vital to help farmers and communities recover.