Release RDF, Punjab MP Seechewal tells minister

Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal today urged Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, who was on a visit to flood-affected regions of Punjab, to immediately release the Rural Development Fund for the state.

During a discussion with the Union Minister at the Nirmal Kutia in Sultanpur Lodhi, Seechewal stated that severe flooding has badly affected nearly half of Punjab. Flooding in the state’s rivers has caused significant damage to the basic infrastructure. Roads, schools, primary health centres and community halls in flood-hit areas have suffered extensive destruction.

Seechewal strongly pressed the demand that, along with immediate assistance from the Natural Disaster Relief Fund, Punjab’s share of the Rural Development Fund must also be released without delay. This would allow urgent repair work on damaged village roads and schools.

He added that agriculture—considered the backbone of Punjab—has been the worst hit by the floods. Farmers’ crops have been completely destroyed, leading to severe economic distress among agricultural labourers as well. Due to continuous heavy rainfall, many homes of the poor have either collapsed or been badly damaged. All affected individuals must be given full compensation.

250 days of work for MGNREGA workers: Seechewal also emphasised that both the Central and state governments should ensure a minimum of 250 days of employment for MGNREGA workers. He said that the labour class has also suffered immensely due to the floods, and the current 100-day employment guarantee under MGNREGA should be extended to 250 days so that affected families can sustain themselves properly.

Restart work on flyover

Seechewal also urged Malhotra to restart the stalled construction work of the flyover at Lohia. Notably, the flyover at the railway crossing has been non-operational for the past nine months. Seechewal had earlier recommended extending parts of the bridge, following which the NHAI sent the revised project cost for re-approval. The minister assured of all cooperation in resolving the issues.