Session of the Punjab Assembly, in Chandigarh.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday (September 26, 2025) hit out at the BJP-led central government, accusing it of adopting a ‘step-motherly’ attitude towards Punjab, saying that out of the ₹1600 crore flood-relief package, not a single rupee has been disbursed to Punjab till now.
Mr. Cheema, who was speaking during the ongoing session of the State Assembly on the ‘rehabilitation of Punjab’ resolution, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a delayed visit, which he said took place almost a month after the floods commenced, contrasting it with the swift response in extending relief to Afghanistan.
“What’s even more troubling is the Prime Minister’s announcement of a paltry ₹1600 crore relief package, of which not a single rupee has been disbursed to Punjab to date,” he alleged.
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. The Minister said that the Congress party’s rhetoric on disaster management funds is counterproductive to Punjab’s interests.
Mr. Cheema asked the Centre “to end their step-motherly treatment of Punjab”, adding that the immediate release of relief funds is a fundamental necessity and a rightful entitlement for millions of Punjabis.
Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, who presented the resolution in the House, demanded a special package of ₹20,000 crore for flood-affected families, farmers and infrastructure restoration across the State.
Leader of Opposition, Congress party’s Partap Singh Bajwa, blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and the BJP-led Centre for indulging in blame games instead of addressing the devastation caused by recent floods in Punjab.
Mr. Bajwa said the floods were not merely a natural disaster but the direct outcome of administrative negligence and gross mismanagement. He demanded an independent, time-bound judicial inquiry headed by a sitting High Court judge, with representatives from all political parties, to fix accountability and bring out the truth.
Published – September 27, 2025 01:40 am IST
