Overdose of photos and little in the name of flood relief measures in Punjab! Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive director of North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), has penned an open letter to Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab telling him that a lot more needs to be done in the name of flood relief. In the letter, Chahal emphasized the importance of prompt and effective assistance to those affected by the floods, acknowledging the challenges posed by natural disasters like this.

Notably, Punjab has not utilised Rs 218 crore fund released by the Centre for relief measures, an issue raised by several politicians in the recent past. In Punjab alone, tens of thousands of people were evacuated due to floods while in just seven districts 10,000 people were evacuated from Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, and six people died in the state due to rampant monsoon.

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What did Chahal write in the letter?

“As a concerned citizen, I have observed that the relief measures seem to be inadequate and overshadowed by what appears to be excessive photo shoots and media coverage, rather than a sincere commitment to addressing the needs of the flood victims,” he wrote.

In his letter two pages long, Chahal urged the Chief Minister to prioritize the well-being of the flood victims above all else. He emphasized the importance of transparent monitoring and efficiently implementing relief measures to ensure they promptly reach the affected areas and individuals.

Furthermore, Chahal encouraged the state to involve local authorities, NGOs, and community leaders in the relief efforts to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it the most, thereby promoting a holistic approach to rehabilitation and recovery.

As of July 21 at 8 am, the flood has impacted over a thousand villages in Punjab. The state has set up 155 relief camps, providing shelter to 4,560 people.

Chahal’s letter also requested the state authority to keep the public informed about the measures being taken to address the flood situation and to demonstrate their genuine commitment to providing relief to those in need, in this dire situation.

Who is Satnam Singh Chahal?

Chahal serves as the executive director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), while also holding the roles of group editor at Punjabi Outlook and executive producer of the Qaumi Masley Talk Show channel.