Floods are major disasters in Punjab. They cause huge damage. Homes, schools, crops, and animals are often destroyed. Family incomes are severely impacted. To lessen these hardships, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif introduced a special Flood Relief Package.
CM Punjab Flood Relief Card: Core Support
The central feature of this package is the CM Punjab Flood Relief Card. Every flood-affected family will receive this card. It provides Rs. 20,000 in cash support. This money is transferred directly to a bank account linked to the card. Families can withdraw the funds easily from ATMs or banks. This process ensures transparency, dignity, and prevents corruption. It also avoids long waiting lines.
Relief Package Not Linked with BISP
This relief program is separate from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Families do not need to be registered in BISP to qualify. Payments will not be managed through BISP channels. All families severely affected by floods are eligible for this support.
Other Key Relief Measures
The package includes several other important support measures. These aim for both immediate aid and long-term recovery.
- Compensation for House Damage: Families whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged will receive Rs. 500,000 (5 lakh).
- Compensation for Animal Loss: Families who lost livestock, such as cattle, buffalo, or goats, will also receive Rs. 500,000 (5 lakh).
- Farmer Support: Farmers whose crops were destroyed will get Rs. 20,000 per acre. This helps them restart farming.
- Student Fee Waivers: Students in flood-hit areas will have their admission and semester fees waived.
- Repair of Infrastructure: A total of 147 schools and 26 colleges will be repaired quickly. Also, 121 health centers and hospitals will be restored to ensure medical treatment and medicine supply.
- Relief Goods Distribution: Over 80,000 families have already received immediate relief goods. These include food, tents, clothes, and essential medicines.
Eligibility for the Relief Package
Only families in districts officially declared as flood-affected are eligible. The categories for assistance are broad.
- Families whose houses were damaged.
- Families who lost their animals.
- Farmers whose crops or land were destroyed.
- All other general flood-affected families will receive the Rs. 20,000 Relief Card cash aid.
Payment and Distribution Process
The payment process is structured for efficiency. It begins with a comprehensive survey and data collection in the affected areas. There is a detailed verification of family losses. Next, the Relief Cards are issued. The cash is then directly transferred into the linked bank accounts. Large compensations, such as for house or animal loss, are disbursed after thorough verification.
Purpose of Specific Payments
Each payment amount has a specific recovery goal.
- The Rs. 20,000 Cash Aid is for immediate needs. This includes food, medicines, temporary house repairs, and urgent school requirements.
- The Rs. 500,000 Compensation is for rebuilding destroyed houses and purchasing replacement animals.
- The Rs. 20,000 per Acre is designed to help farmers buy seeds, fertilizers, and quickly resume their agricultural activities.
A Complete Package for Recovery
This relief package addresses almost every need of the affected families. It provides Rs. 20,000 per family for immediate support. It offers Rs. 500,000 for rebuilding or replacement of animals. Farmers get Rs. 20,000 per acre. Students receive fee waivers. Furthermore, essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals are quickly repaired. This comprehensive action by the Punjab government demonstrates strong support, dignity, and fairness for struggling citizens.
