Flood-affected people: Centre, Punjab trying to provide speedy compensation: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday said the federal government - in close co-operation with the Punjab government - was working on a fast track to provide speedy compensation to flood-affected people so as to help them rebuild their damaged property.
Addressing a gathering at Jandiana village, the Prime Minister said the first instalment of Rs 25,000 was being paid to all those affected by floods without any discrimination.
The next instalment would be paid to those, who had suffered losses of houses, agriculture lands or farming animals, he added. He said committees were working round the clock on damage assessment and quick disbursement of payments. The disbursement of the next instalment would start by October 20.
He said the government was not doing any favour to the flood -affected people by making payments rather it was its obligation to help them rebuild their damaged property and restore their means of livelihood. Nawaz lauded Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for ensuring that the affected people receive the initial amount of compensation in the shortest possible time. The Chief Minister visited the area five times, while it was his (PM's) second visit to the area, to personally supervise the relief and rehabilitation work, he added.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over the damages caused by the erosion of river banks and the destruction of Moza Jogera. The government, he said, would relocate the people and rebuild the village. He said measures would also be taken to stop further erosion of the river banks and stop further damage to agricultural lands and villages. He announced upgradation of Khewa School to a college saying it would help local children get higher education close to their homes.
The Prime Minister also lauded the courage of the people, who braved the natural calamity and were committed to rebuild their lives. He said he and Shahbaz Sharif were with the flood-affected people and would stand by them till they were fully rehabilitated. In this regard he also appreciated the local district administration for rising to the occasion and accomplishing the task given by Shahbaz Sharif for disbursing the compensation in the shortest possible time.