NEW DELHI: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday painted a grim picture of the state’s flood crisis, calling it the worst in five decades. Unprecedented rainfall across Punjab and neighboring hilly states has inundated nearly 2,000 villages, affecting over 4 lakh citizens and claiming 43 lives across 14 districts.
The agricultural backbone of Punjab has been hit hard, with 1.72 lakh hectares of farmland across 18 districts damaged, alongside widespread destruction of homes, livestock, and public infrastructure. The Ghaggar river has also breached its danger mark of 750 feet, intensifying fears of further devastation.
State’s Relief Measures
Cheema said the Punjab government has launched a “swift and compassionate response” to the disaster. More than 22,000 people have been evacuated, with around 200 relief camps sheltering 7,000 displaced citizens. Rescue operations are being conducted with the help of 24 NDRF teams, 2 SDRF teams, 144 boats, and a government helicopter.
“The Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, AAP MPs, MLAs, and party workers are working shoulder-to-shoulder with citizens at ground zero. Entire government machinery, gram panchayats, and NGOs are operating round-the-clock,” Cheema said.
The Revenue Department has released ₹71 crore for relief, while cabinet members and MLAs have pledged one month’s salary to the CM Relief Fund. AAP MPs have committed their discretionary funds, and the Excise and Taxation Department has contributed ₹50 lakh.
Demand for Pending Funds
Taking on the Union Government, Cheema accused the BJP-led Centre of ignoring Punjab’s plight. He reiterated Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 31, seeking the release of over ₹60,000 crore in pending dues – including GST compensation, RDF & MDF, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana funds.
“It is very unfortunate that the Prime Minister has not even replied to this letter after 25 days,” Cheema said, adding that while India has extended aid to Afghanistan, Punjab has been left to fend for itself.
Attack on Centre’s Response
Cheema criticized Union Ministers for making “photo-op visits” without announcing any relief packages. He also dismissed the Centre’s claim that illegal mining caused the floods, calling it “biased and politically motivated.”
“Punjab has always contributed to the nation’s growth and security. Instead of supporting us in this crisis, the Centre is engaging in petty politics,” he remarked.
Call for Immediate Action
Cheema concluded by demanding the immediate release of Punjab’s pending dues and swift dispatch of financial assistance. “The Union Government has utterly failed Punjab in its time of crisis. We demand justice, accountability, and urgent relief for our people,” he said.
