Punjab Floods: Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi, seeks Rs 20,000 crore relief package
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, September 17, 2025:Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Union Government to announce a comprehensive relief package for Punjab in the wake of the devastating floods.
In his letter, Gandhi highlighted the extensive damage caused by the disaster, stating that over 4 lakh acres of paddy crop have been destroyed, more than 10 lakh animals have perished, and lakhs of families, largely from marginalized communities, have lost their homes. He added that large tracts of land have been rendered uncultivable, with thousands of acres still submerged and several villages cut off.
Terming the Centre’s announcement of ₹1,600 crore as initial relief a “grave injustice to the people of Punjab,” Gandhi said that estimates suggest the state has suffered losses of at least ₹20,000 crore. He called for a quick damage assessment and a “bolder response” from the Union Government to match the scale of destruction.
Despite the crisis, the Congress leader praised the spirit of the people of Punjab, noting how communities opened their homes to strangers and shared resources even at personal risk. “Punjab will rise again,” Gandhi wrote, adding that in this hour of need, “every farmer, every soldier, and every family in Punjab must be reassured that India stands with them.”