Chandigarh, Sept 9 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to flood-hit Punjab on Monday drew sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party government, which accused the Centre of offering a token relief package that falls far short of the state’s needs.
The state had sought a relief of Rs 20,000 crore to rebuild lives and infrastructure damaged by unprecedented flooding. Modi, however, announced a grant of Rs 1,600 crore. When state leaders pressed for an increase, the Prime Minister reportedly told them that Punjab already had Rs 12,000 crore available in its disaster relief fund.
Calling the allocation inadequate, AAP president Aman Arora, who received Modi at Pathankot along with Food and Supply Minister Lalchand Kataruchak, said the Centre’s response was dismissive. “The grant announced today is not even a drop in the ocean. These floods are the worst disaster Punjab has faced in recent memory, with damages running into thousands of crores. To give such a meagre amount is nothing short of an insult to the state and its people, who ensure the nation’s food security and safeguard its borders,” Arora remarked.
AAP general secretary Deepak Bali echoed the criticism, terming the grant “an eyewash.”
According to preliminary state estimates, Punjab has suffered losses of Rs 13,800 crore to public infrastructure, including schools, colleges, hospitals, veterinary institutions, power networks, roads, culverts, bridges, and river protection works. Chief Secretary KAP Sinha presented these figures to Modi at Tibri on Monday, stressing that the state required Rs 13,800 crore just for rebuilding damaged infrastructure. A similar presentation had earlier been made to two inter-ministerial central teams that surveyed flood-hit areas last week.
With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hospitalised due to an infection, a delegation of four ministers was tasked with placing Punjab’s case before the Prime Minister. While Arora and Kataruchak welcomed Modi at Pathankot, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian attended the Tibri presentation and appealed for a larger package.
Mundian later said Modi’s visit lacked compassion. “The Prime Minister came after three weeks of Punjab struggling with this calamity. Instead of applying a healing touch, he put a band-aid on the wound. When I pointed out that the grant was too small, he rebuked me, saying I must not understand Hindi, and repeated that he had already announced Rs 1,600 crore. If he sees Punjab’s Rs 12,000 crore in disaster funds, does he not see how Rs 60,000 crore in GST, RDF, MDF and Grameen Sadak Yojana dues are still pending from the Centre?” he asked.
Khudian also expressed disappointment, urging the Union government to release withheld amounts. “Punjab and Punjabis have always stood with the nation. In our most difficult time, the country should come forward to help us rebuild. At least the Rs 8,000 crore held back under RDF and MDF should have been released,” he said.
The Punjab government continues to press the Centre for immediate release of Rs 60,000 crore in pending dues and a substantial increase in the flood relief package.
