Chandigarh, September 26
Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today used the floor of the Punjab Assembly to deliver a scathing critique of the BJP-led Central Government’s handling of the devastating floods that swept across the state in July and August, specifically calling out the Prime Minister for his delayed visit, paltry financial aid, and failure to meet the families of the deceased in Pathankot. The Finance Minister also accused the Congress party of engaging in opportunistic politics, stating that instead of supporting the state during this crisis, the Punjab Congress leadership is aligning itself with the BJP-led Union government.
Speaking in favour of the ‘Rehabilitation of Punjab’ resolution, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema painted a grave picture of the destruction, which started in Kapurthala district in August, and the state witnessed the worst floods by the end of August. While mentioning that the State Government mobilized all available resources for relief and rescue operations, with AAP MLAs and Ministers working tirelessly to support flood victims, Cheema questioned whether the Centre had fulfilled its responsibilities within the federal framework.
Highlighting the significant delay in the Prime Minister’s visit, which occurred almost a month after the floods commenced, the Finance Minister Cheema contrasted this with the swift response in extending relief to Afghanistan, questioning the disparity in approach. “What’s even more troubling is the Prime Minister’s announcement of a paltry Rs 1600 crore relief package, of which not a single rupee has been disbursed to Punjab to date,” Cheema added, underscoring the perceived inadequacy of the central government’s response
Mentioning the profound human cost of the disaster, the Finance Minister recounted the heartbreaking incident of August 26th in which a single family was tragically struck. The flood claimed the life of 15-year-old Meenu and resulted in the disappearance of her younger siblings, 9-year-old Laddi and 6-year-old Lachhu. The Finance Minister said that their father, Bagh, suffered the compounded tragedy of losing not only his three children but also his livestock. He also acknowledged other young victims in the district, naming 7-year-old Sahil and 12-year-old Keshv Kumar.
In a scathing indictment of the Prime Minister’s tour of flood-hit areas, the Finance Minister said, “The Prime Minister failed to even console the family who lost three of its members to the floods, limiting his tour to a mere photo-op.”
The Finance Minister reminded the House that the Chief Minister of Punjab had written to the Prime Minister in late August, seeking the release of Rs 60,000 crore in outstanding funds. He highlighted a concerning disparity, noting that the Prime Minister is inaccessible to the elected Chief Minister but readily meets with appointed ones. The Finance Minister also expressed regret over the absence of BJP MLAs from the assembly, suggesting they could have provided clarity on the utilisation of the Rs 1600 crore relief package, out of which not a single penny has been transferred to the state exchequer. “Today, the BJP’s stance has been exposed nationwide,” he added.
The Finance Minister also rebuked the opposition for spreading rumours and clarified that the Rs 240 crore the state received is part of the Rs 481 crore already due to it from the Union Government under the Disaster Management budget for the financial year 2025-26. Clarifying the facts about the disaster management fund, the Finance Minister said that the funds allocated for disaster management are received annually, and If these funds remain unutilized, an interest of 8.15% is payable on them. He stated that the Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2010. Between 2017 and 2022, the Union Government allocated Rs 2,061 crore for disaster management in Punjab, of which the Congress government utilised Rs 1,678 crore. He said that during the Aam Aadmi Party’s tenure, Rs 1,582 crore was received in three years, with Rs 649 crore being spent.
The Minister said that the Congress party’s rhetoric on disaster management funds is counterproductive to Punjab’s interests. He criticized the Congress leaders, suggesting that their educational background should have equipped them with better economic understanding. Cheema also questioned the Congress party’s stance on demanding the dismissal of Sher Singh, asking if this reflected a bias against Dalits.
In a sharp critique, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the Congress party of what he termed “politics of corpses.” He specifically stated that the Leader of the Opposition, representing the Congress, appealed in the Vidhan Sabha for the public to withhold aid from Punjab and to cease contributions to the state government’s ‘Rangla Punjab Chardi Kala Fund’. Cheema asserted that this action reveals the Congress party’s willingness to sacrifice flood victims’ well-being for political advantage by obstructing assistance. He drew historical parallels, mentioning the 1984 events and the 1988 floods as previous instances of the Congress using tragedy for political ends.
The Finance Minister delivered a stern warning to the BJP-led Union Government, urging them to end their “step-motherly” treatment of Punjab. He emphasised that the immediate release of relief funds is a fundamental necessity and a rightful entitlement for millions of Punjabis, given the state’s significant contributions to national food security and its unparalleled sacrifices during the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, as well as recent events in May. Drawing from personal experience, the Minister recalled his late father, Mehar Singh, an Indian Army soldier who fought bravely in the 1962 and 1971 wars
