Punjab Assembly session: AAP govt demands Rs 20,000 crore flood-relief package from Centre

Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has moved a resolution condemning the lack of response and failure of BJP-led Central Government to sanction a special financial package. It also condemned the Prime Minister’s Office for not responding to the repeated requests of Punjab Chief Minister for a meeting to brief the former about the full scale of disaster; the token relief package of Rs 1,600 crore; and calling the “Union Government” to acknowledge the gravity of the disaster and sanction a package of Rs 20,000 crore for the state.

The resolution was moved by the Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal during a discussion on “Rehabilitation of Punjab” at the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, that began today.

The resolution states that Punjab has been ravaged by catastrophic floods, widely regarded as the worst and most destructive deluge since the 1988 floods which historically impacted over 34 lakh people.

“… the current disaster has surpassed previous major floods that occurred in Independent India, such as those in 1955 and 1978, in terms of sheer scale and devastation, causing loss to over 20 lakh people in many ways, destroying crops on nearly five lakh acres, numerous loss to livestock, and irreparable damage to both private and public infrastructure”.

It was said that the Chief Minister, after a comprehensive assessment, formally demanded a special and substantial financial relief package of  Rs 20,000 crore from the BJP-led Central Government to meet this unprecedented crisis.

“The state government, with deep regret, must inform this House and the people of Punjab that even a part of the meagre announced package of Rs 1,600 crore has not yet been transferred to the State Treasury.”

It further said that the Prime Minister's Office has not responded to the elected Chief Minister of Punjab's repeated request for a meeting, but limited interaction to selected individuals. This has prevented Punjab from making a proper and comprehensive representation through its Chief Minister.