LAHORE: The cabinet committee has recommended Rs1.6 million compensation for each death caused by floods and the chief minister will hopefully approve the unprecedented package.

Briefing the media after a meeting on Monday to review relief work in the wake of floods caused by record-breaking rains, Zaeem Qadri of the PML-N said this money, in no way, could be considered compensation for human lives, but could certainly go a long way towards lessening the pain of loss.

`The entire official focus is riveted on relief work, and the Punjab government has already spared Rs100 million in addition to routine relief funds at the disposal of districts,` he said and added: `There will be nodearth of funds and every household will be counted and rehabilitated.

The government has counted 190 union councils, which are affected by the floods to varying degrees.

Around 230 teams have been constituted for health coverage in these UCs and 236 mobile teams are also covering these areas. Four army helicopters and 250 boats have also been pressed into action and 18,000 tents have also been distributed. So far, 126,649 acres of standing crops have been affected and 253,350 animals displaced. The government has provided 41,800 bags of 10kg fodder.

Minister Environment retired Col Shuja Khanzada told reporters that the Punjab government was, in fact, already on its toes after it had received flood alert on Sept 1 which was converted into warning on Sept 3.

He said the Peshawar deaths and subsequent relief from Punjab had already pushed the provincial machinery into relief mode. `Thus, the government was quick to respond, take all pre-emptive measures and contain damage. That is why the deathtoll, as compared to last many floods, has not been as high as could be feared in such unprecedented rains and flood,` he insisted. Earlier, chairing a meeting on the relief work, Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said that provincial departments should make coordinated efforts for evacuation of marooned people and provision of relief to flood victims in the light of directions of the chief minister.

He said the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) would be the focal department in this regard.

Mr Cheema directed all departments concerned especially the health, C&W and irrigation to depute at least one grade-19 officer round-the-clock in the flood control room.

He said the government would utilize all its resources for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.

He also directed that an anticipatory plan should be chalked out for combating expected flood in other areas of the province in view of morerains in catchment areas of rivers.

Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin appreciated the officials working in the field for providing relief and succor to their brothers and sisters.

He said the government would provide compensation for the loss of crops and property for which a survey would be conducted after the receding of flood water.

All officers apprised the meeting of rescue activities for flood victims by their departments.

Health Director-General Dr Zahid Pervaiz said that Health Department`s medical teams had provided medical cover to around 8,000 patients and lives of 80 people bitten by snakes had been saved.

Provincial minister Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, Additional Chief Secretary Aamir Sohail Mirza, Secretary to CM Punjab Imdadullah Bosal, the Senior Member Board of Revenue, secretaries, additional secretaries of the departments concerned, Rescue-1122 DG and officers of army and police also attended the meeting.