Punjab Responds to Historic Floods with Urgency and Compassion; Demands Accountability and Support from Centre: Harpal Singh Cheema
2,000 villages and Over 4 lakh citizens impacted; 43 deaths reported in 14 districts
1.72 lakh hectares of farmland damaged in 18 districts, Widespread loss of homes, livestock, and public infrastructure
FM Calls for the prompt release of Rs 60,000 crore owed to Punjab
Says, Cabinet Ministers, AAP MPs and Legislators Lead by Example
Chandigarh, September 6 (WISHAVWARTA):- Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday provided a grim overview of the state’s unprecedented flood crisis, describing it as the worst in five decades. The relentless rainfall in Punjab and neighboring hilly states has triggered widespread devastation, affecting almost 2,000 villages across all districts. Over 4,00,000 citizens have been impacted, with 43 reported deaths in 14 districts. The agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the state’s economy, has suffered extensively, with 1,72,000 hectares of farmland damaged in 18 districts. Additionally, infrastructure, homes, and livestock have sustained significant losses. The Ghaggar river’s water level has also surpassed its danger mark of 750 feet.
The Finance Minister said that the Punjab government has responded to the unprecedented floods with prompt action and empathy. He emphasized the need for accountability and support from the BJP-led Union Government, stressing that this crisis demands a collaborative response rather than political opportunism.
Addressing a press conference held today here at Punjab Bhawan, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that despite the scale of destruction, the Punjab government has mounted a swift and coordinated response. He said that more than 22,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Approximately 200 relief camps have been established across the state, currently sheltering over 7,000 displaced individuals. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by 24 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 2 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), supported by 144 boats and a government helicopter. “The Chief Minister, senior party leaders, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and party senior leaders and workers are actively present at ground zero, working shoulder to shoulder with citizens. The entire government machinery, Gram panchayts and NGOs are operating around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected”, said Cheema.
The Finance Minister further disclosed that the Revenue Department has released Rs 71 crore to support relief efforts. “Demonstrating solidarity, the entire cabinet and all MLAs have pledged to donate one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Additionally, Aam Aadmi Party MPs from Punjab in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have committed to utilizing their discretionary funds to aid flood victims. Our Excise and Taxation Department has also contributed Rs 50 lakh to this noble cause,” he added.
The Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also reminded that after waiting in vain for any relief announcement from the Centre, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 31, seeking the release of over ₹60,000 crore owed to the state. This includes pending GST compensation, RDF & MDF, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana funds. Additionally, the Chief Minister had requested amendments to the SDRF and NDRF rules to ensure adequate compensation for flood victims.
Criticising the BJP-led Union Government for politicizing the tragic loss of lives, Cheema strongly condemned the silence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the letter written by Punjab Chief Minister. He said that it is very unfortunate that Prime Minister has not replied to this letter even after 25 days. He expressed surprise that while aid is being extended to Taliban led Afghanistan for earthquake relief, the same empathy has not been shown to the people of Punjab.
Expressing grave disappointment over the response of the Union Government, the Punjab Finance Minister criticized the lack of substantive support, stating that Union Ministers and teams have merely visited for photo opportunities without announcing any relief packages or financial aid. The Finance Minister rejected the Centre’s claims that illegal mining is the reason for Punjab’s floods, calling it a blatant display of bias against the state. He questioned why the Centre fails to explain the causes of floods in other states, highlighting the inconsistency in their approach. He condemned the Centre’s attempt to politicize the issue, stating that instead of supporting Punjab, a state that has significantly contributed to the nation’s development and made sacrifices for its protection, the BJP at Centre is engaging in petty politics.
Concluding the press conference, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Union Government claims to be assessing the damage but has yet to request data from the state, which Punjab is fully prepared to provide, whereas, the final report of damage can be accessed after floods recede. He said that the Union Government has utterly failed Punjab in its time of crisis. He urged immediate action to address this grave injustice, demanding the prompt release of pending dues amounting to Rs 60,000 crore. Additionally, he called for swift dispatch of relief and financial assistance to support the state’s recovery efforts.
