Jalandhar: Life returns to normal in flood-hit Mand with Kar Seva

Punjab: Following the devastating floods in Mand, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has been continuously engaged in relief and rehabilitation work for the past five months. Life in the Mand area is slowly returning to normal after last year’s devastating floods. During this time, Seechewal, along with a team of administrative officials, visited the flood-affected areas and addressed major problems, especially in areas where power supply was severely disrupted and where many flood victims have yet to receive compensation. The team included tehsildars, kanungos, patwaris, and senior Powercom officials. Understanding the flood-affected people’s difficulties closely, Seechewal held meetings with the residents of Baupur Kadim, Baupur Jadid, Bhaini Kadar Baksh, and Sangra villages. The affected people shared their concerns about power supply disruptions, delayed compensation payments, and other basic infrastructure issues.
Seechewal immediately directed the department to address these issues on a priority basis. He stated that compensating affected farmers, restoring power supply, and rehabilitating the area is the joint responsibility of the government and the administration, and they are continuously working towards this. Farmer Satwinder Singh said that due to the aggressive Kar Seva led by Seechewal, approximately 200 acres of land had become cultivable by November, and wheat sowing had been completed. He further stated that the fields of 25 small farmers who had been unable to sow wheat are now ready for maize cultivation. He said that at a time when the area needed massive assistance, Seechewal stood firmly with the farmers from day one. Despite the harsh winter, he visited the area daily and also volunteered in the cleaning of the Budha Dariya in Ludhiana.
Farmers also reported that many farms in the area are still buried under 5 to 6 feet of sand and silt, requiring heavy machinery and large quantities of diesel to clear them. The sand carried by the floodwaters has covered agricultural land, making it nearly impossible for farmers to clear it themselves. Thanking the volunteers for their continued support, Seechewal appealed to the public to come forward and help farmers who were unable to sow wheat, ensuring maize sowing by February. He said that although the floodwaters have receded, the inundation of sand and silt remains a major challenge for farmers. He added that approximately ₹1 lakh is being spent daily on diesel, which is only possible due to the generous support of the Sangat.