CM Targets Opposition in Assembly Debate
During the Punjab Assembly special session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the house, highlighting the impact of recent floods on the state. Criticizing opposition members, he stated:
“Some people look for opportunities in disasters. They are using the floods as an excuse to criticize me. When leaders like Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi were provided Z-plus security, and the Ravi river’s flow was rapid, they could have faced serious risks. Yet, some would have claimed that Rahul Gandhi was sent to Pakistan if anything had happened.”
CM Mann emphasized the state’s accountability, saying that over the past 25 years, the Central government allocated ₹6,900 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund, while the remaining fund belongs to the Punjab government. He added that accusations regarding financial mismanagement are misleading.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Chima Speaks on Flood Losses
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Chima detailed the severe losses caused by floods across the state:
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The floods originated in Kapurthala and spread due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
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Relief operations were immediately initiated by state authorities.
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Questions about water release from dams were raised, but Chima clarified that the main cause was heavy rainfall in the mountains.
Key Relief Measures and Fund Status
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The state launched the “Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret” (Whose Land, His Sand) campaign to help farmers recover sand deposited by floods.
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Despite the Prime Minister’s announcement of ₹1,600 crore, no funds had been disbursed to flood-affected people immediately after the announcement.
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Families in Pathankot, Laddi, Lachhu, and Meenu villages lost everything in the floods, yet received no timely assistance.
Chima highlighted that Punjab has received ₹2,061 crore from the disaster management fund to date, of which the current state government spent ₹1,600 crore on immediate relief. He also criticized both Congress and BJP for neglecting Punjab, which has consistently contributed to the nation in times of crisis.
