Centre Gives Punjab Just Rs 1,600 Crore for Flood Relief While Bihar Gets Rs 7,500 Crore: CM Mann

National News: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann criticised the opposition for using the floods to score political points, saying that people of the state will never forgive such insensitive politicians for their betrayal during this crisis. During a special session in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mann expressed disappointment that instead of helping the flood victims, some politicians were trying to attack the government. He said these leaders were exploiting the situation for their political gains while real help was needed on the ground. The Chief Minister said that when people were seeking relief, these politicians were busy trying to gain media attention.

Punjab’s Resilience and History

Mann stated that the session was meant to focus on recovery after floods, but some leaders turned it into a blame game. He praised Punjab as a resilient land that has always risen after disasters, citing historical battles like Saragarhi and Longewala to show the courage of Punjabis. He reminded that Punjab has always supported the country, whether in food production, border security, or freedom struggles. Yet, he added, when Punjab faces issues, the Union government often remains insensitive. He cited the Dinanagar attack as an example, where Punjab had to bear the consequences despite aiding the Indian Army.

Call for Unity and Support

The Chief Minister urged Punjabis to come together in this critical time. He stated that if necessary, he would protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence to protect the state’s interests. Mann said he will continue fighting for Punjab despite threats from central agencies and stressed that history will remember those who helped the state and those who obstructed its recovery. He appealed to all leaders to put aside differences and assist the people, highlighting that true service is helping the flood-affected communities.

Damage and Relief Efforts

Mann reported that over 2,300 villages were submerged, more than 2 million people were affected, and crops on five lakh acres were destroyed. The floods claimed 56 lives and left around seven lakh people homeless. Government infrastructure suffered heavily, including 3,200 schools, 19 colleges, 1,400 hospitals, 8,500 kilometers of roads, and 2,500 bridges. Initial estimates put total damage at about ₹13,800 crore. He added that his government worked efficiently on desilting drains, cleaning 3,825 km in three years compared to 2,066 km in the previous regime. Efforts to desilt Bhakra and Pong dams, however, remain unaddressed by the Union government for 70 years. Mann noted that desilting the Ghaggar river helped prevent floods despite high water levels.

Criticism of Central Agencies and Opposition

The Chief Minister criticized the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for inaccurate forecasts, citing one day where rainfall exceeded predictions by 1961%. He explained that this year dams like Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar received far more water than ever recorded, worsening the floods. Mann clarified that Punjab received only ₹1,600 crore from the Prime Minister, despite opposition claims that ₹12,000 crore was available. He stressed that this amount is insufficient, giving only ₹80 lakh per affected village. Mann also highlighted that during the PM’s visit, only selected Congress-aligned leaders were met, ignoring actual flood victims. He criticized the government’s focus on foreign tours over addressing local crises. He praised the army, volunteers, and youth who saved lives during the floods and condemned politicians using the crisis for photo opportunities.

Steps for Recovery

The Chief Minister said his government began flood control meetings early in April, unlike previous governments that delayed them until July. He announced the creation of the Rangla Punjab fund to support rehabilitation and stated that all donations would be used responsibly. Unlike the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, this new fund allows wider contributions and bypasses previous restrictions. Targeting Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mann said that promises to build river walls are empty, as the party failed even to maintain roads during their rule. He accused the Akali leadership of misusing public funds and ignoring major incidents like Kotakpura and Behbal Kalan, where sacrilege and killings took place during their tenure.