Youth Cong criticises PM for more doles to Bihar than flood-hit Punjab

Angad Dutta, Punjab Youth Congress Secretary, on Saturday expressed deep concern over the Centre’s skewed priorities in disaster relief and welfare schemes.

“While the people of Punjab are still reeling from one of the worst floods in decades, the Modi Government has announced a transfer of Rs 10,000 to women in Bihar under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, totaling Rs 7,500 crore. It is baffling that Bihar, which has not faced a crisis of this magnitude, is being prioritised over Punjab,” Dutta said.

He added, “Punjab has suffered losses of over Rs 13,289 crore according to official state reports, with more than 2,000 villages lying inundated, over 3.5 lakh acres of farmland destroyed, and dozens of lives lost. Yet, the Centre has sanctioned only Rs 1,600 crore as interim flood relief — a fraction of what is needed to rebuild livelihoods.”

Dutta also called out the state government for lack of transparency, “The Punjab Government should provide more clarity on the Rs 12,500 crore SDRF fund, which the Chief Secretary of Punjab himself had referred to during the meeting with the Prime Minister, as well as in the press conference jointly addressed by him and the Chief Minister. Punjabis deserve to know where this figure comes from and how much of it has actually been allocated or released.”

He further criticised the PM for what he described as political discrimination, “While Bihar, governed by BJP’s allies, is showered with financial aid ahead of Assembly elections, Punjab, governed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is being ignored in its darkest hour. This is not governance; this is selective political patronage.”

He concluded by urging the Union Goverment to immediately release sufficient funds to compensate farmers, labourers and families affected by the floods, rebuild rural infrastructure, schools, hospitals and homes, provide proper support for livestock and agricultural rehabilitation. “Punjab deserves justice and equal treatment. Both the Centre and the state must come clean and act immediately before the situation worsens,” Angad Dutta said.