CM promises compensation, relief for flood-hit farmers 

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday directed officials to draw up a list of farmers whose crops were damaged in the widespread floods so that compensation can be distributed without delay, as she reviewed flood management and relief efforts after the Yamuna’s water level receded.

Addressing a high-level meeting with District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Sub-Registrars and Revenue Department officials, Ms. Gupta praised their commitment during the recent floods, saying teams had worked day and night to ensure “no citizen has to face hardship”.

“Delhi is back on track, and we will make sure every facility is given to flood-hit citizens. More work is being done for relief, and farmers who suffered losses will be provided compensation,” she said, without announcing the compensation amount.

Ms. Gupta underlined that preparations began six months in advance this year, with desilting ofdrains completed on time, pump houses and mobile pumps activated, and a Central Flood Control Room and wireless stations set up for round-the-clock monitoring.

‘No waterlogging’

She assured residents that the Capital remained safe despite heavy rainfall. “This year, Delhi experienced more rain than in the past 10-15 years, yet due to our government’s efforts, there was no situation of waterlogging. Even at Minto Bridge, water does not stagnate anymore,” she said.

The Chief Minister also met the families of two children who drowned in the Munak canal in her constituency, Shalimar Bagh, and announced compensation for the bereaved. She said the government had taken over maintenance of the 20-km canal from Haryana, noting that nearly 20 lakh residents of Delhi depend on it for drinking water. Railings will also be installed along the canal to prevent such tragedies. “I met the families. Compensation will be given. More importantly, the canal’s safety will be ensured so that such accidents do not recur,” she told reporters.

‘Poor most affected’

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the government of neglect, insisting that though the Yamuna waters had receded, the misery of thousands of families remained.  “The poor are the most affected. They have not been able to attend work for days. They must be given ₹18,000 as aid, equivalent to the minimum wage set by the Delhi government,” AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal posted on X. He also demanded ₹20,000 per acre compensation for crop losses, provision of books and school supplies for children, and special camps for reissuing washed-away documents.