Chandigarh, Dec. 18: Aam Aadmi Party Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Wednesday urged the Centre to release ₹20,000 crore as flood compensation for Punjab, saying the state had suffered extensive losses that far exceeded the relief announced so far.
Speaking during the discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants in Parliament, the Sangrur MP said Punjab’s infrastructure had been severely damaged by floods and accused the Centre of failing to release even the ₹1,600 crore package earlier announced by the Prime Minister.
“Punjab has suffered losses of nearly ₹20,000 crore, but not a single rupee of the announced relief has reached the state,” Meet Hayer said. “The Centre must immediately release the promised amount along with adequate compensation.”
He also demanded regularisation and better pay for Anganwadi workers and helpers, calling their current honorarium exploitative. The Centre pays ₹4,500 to workers and ₹2,250 to helpers, he said.
“Anganwadi workers are the backbone of child development, yet they are denied fair wages and job security,” he said, adding that their services should be regularised with a fixed salary.
Raising concerns over food security, Meet Hayer sought the immediate issuance of new ration cards under the Public Distribution System, citing population growth since the 2011 census. He said Punjab had issued 1.41 crore ration cards based on outdated data.
“The census could not be conducted in 2021 due to COVID, and there is no clarity on when it will happen,” he said. “People cannot be denied ration entitlements because of administrative delays.”
Meet Hayer also criticised the allocation of sports grants, alleging discrimination against Punjab. He said grants should be linked to performance, noting that eight players from Punjab won medals in hockey at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Punjab produces champions from villages like Sansarpur, yet states with no medals receive crores,” he said.
