Punjab floods:Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today severely evaluated the flood situation in the state, which he described as the most terrible flood of the last five decades. He said that continuous rains in Punjab and neighboring hilly states have caused widespread destruction, which has affected about 2,000 villages. This crisis has affected more than 4,00,000 citizens, while 14 districts have had 43 deaths. The agricultural sector, which is considered to be the basis of the state’s economy, has also suffered heavy losses, in which 1.72 lakh hectares of agricultural land has been damaged in 18 districts. Apart from this, infrastructure, houses and animals have also suffered severe damage. The water level of Ghaggar river has also crossed the 750 feet danger mark.
The Finance Minister said that the Punjab government has responded to this unexpected flood crisis immediately and with sympathy. Emphasizing the need for accountability and assistance from the BJP-Netu Central Government, he said that instead of taking political advantage of this crisis, shared efforts are required.
Addressing the press conference held at Punjab Bhavan today, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that despite this level of devastation, the Punjab government started relief work under the policy of immediate and coordination. He informed that more than 22,000 people have been evacuated to safe places. About 200 relief camps have been set up across the state, where more than 7,000 affected people have been given relief. 24 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 2 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue and relief operations, which have also been provided 144 boats and a government helicopter. Finance Minister Cheema said, “The Chief Minister, senior party leader, cabinet minister, MPs, MLAs and senior party workers are actively working with citizens at the ground level shoulder to shoulder.
The Finance Minister also informed that the Revenue Department has released Rs 71 crore for relief works. He added, “Showing solidarity, the entire cabinet and all the MLAs have contributed one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Apart from this, Aam Aadmi Party MPs from Punjab in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are making maximum use of their MP funds to help the flood victims. Our Excise and Taxation Department has also contributed Rs 50 lakh for this noble work.”
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also reminded that after waiting for the announcement of any relief from the Center, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann finally wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the release of more than Rs 60,000 crore pending state. This includes GST compensation, RDF and MDF, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana funds. Apart from this, the Chief Minister had also demanded amendment in the rules of SDRF and NDRF to ensure suitable compensation for the flood victims.
The Finance Minister criticized the BJP-led Central Government for doing politics at the loss of loss, and strongly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on a letter written by the Chief Minister of Punjab. He said that it is very unfortunate that the Prime Minister has not responded to this letter even after 25 days. He expressed surprise that when the Taliban-Scheduled Afghanistan is being assisted for earthquake relief, why did the same condolences not be shown to the people of Punjab.
Expressing deep disappointment over the attitude of the central government and not providing concrete assistance, the Finance Minister of Punjab said that the Union Minister and teams are visiting the state for opportunities to be photographed without any relief package or financial assistance. The Finance Minister completely rejected the Center’s claim that illegal mining is the cause of floods in Punjab. It was called the BJP -led central government’s clear bias towards the state. Exposing the reach adopted by the Center in the case of the state, the Finance Minister questioned why the Center does not explain the reasons for the floods in other states. He condemned politicizing the issue by the Center and said that Punjab, a state that has made significant contribution to the development of the country and has sacrificed for its safety, instead of helping in this difficult time, the BJP-Net Central Government is doing narrow politics.
At the end of the press conference, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the central government claims that it is assessing the damage in the state, but so far no such data has been sought from the state, while the state is fully ready to provide it. He said that the final report of the damage can be prepared only after the flood water decreases. He said that the central government has completely disappointed Punjab in this hour of crisis. He appealed to the Center to immediately take action to remove this serious disarmament and demand immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore and immediately send relief material and financial assistance to support flood relief efforts.
