Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan addresses media in Amritsar alongside Jakhar, Bittu, Chugh, and Trident Group Chairman Rajinder Gupta

September 4, 2025

Amritsar, Sep 4: Amid worsening floods caused by relentless rainfall in Punjab, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Amritsar today to personally assess the damage to crops, property, and infrastructure. On arrival, he was received by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who presented a detailed ground report on the devastation in five severely affected districts—Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur.

Addressing the media, Shivraj Chouhan was present with the whole leadership, and Chairman of Trident Group Rajinder Gupta was also present there. Chouhan revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed him to visit Punjab immediately and evaluate the situation firsthand. He assured that the Central government would extend full support to Punjab in this crisis. “Punjab has always stood at the forefront in serving the nation. Today, as the state suffers from this natural calamity, the Central government stands firmly with its people,” he said.

Chouhan highlighted that two Central teams comprising officials from key departments—agriculture, rural development, roads, power, finance, and water resources—are already stationed in Punjab. These teams are touring flood-hit areas, assessing the scale of damage, and preparing a comprehensive report for the Central government. He noted that nearly 1,655 villages across 23 districts, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fazilka, and Kapurthala, have been badly affected.

Expressing solidarity, the Union Minister praised the resilience of Punjabis, calling Punjab the “pride of India.” He announced that he would personally visit villages, interact with affected residents, and evaluate crop and property losses. Alongside him, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and other senior leaders have joined the visit to monitor the situation and coordinate relief measures.

Former Punjab Cabinet Minister and Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Dhaliwal also met Chouhan and submitted a demand letter seeking an immediate Rs 2,000 crore compensation package for flood damages in Ajnala, along with the release of Rs 60,000 crore in pending Central dues for Punjab.

Governor Kataria, after visiting the flood-affected districts from September 1–4, briefed the Union Minister on the extensive loss of life, livestock, crops, and infrastructure. He also highlighted the ongoing relief efforts by the state government, district administration, Army, NDRF, and volunteers.

The Supreme Court has also taken cognizance of the crisis, issuing a notice to the Punjab government and seeking a detailed report within three weeks. Chief Justice remarked that such devastating rain and flooding have not been witnessed in recent memory.

This year, the Ravi river has caused the heaviest damage in Punjab, and water levels are once again rising in Ramdas, Amritsar, threatening further hardship for residents.

Chouhan concluded his visit by reiterating that relief and rehabilitation remain his sole priority. “There is no shortage of support from the Central government. Our focus is on immediate aid, restoration of livelihoods, and ensuring that Punjab’s farmers and citizens overcome this disaster,” he said.