Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has denied claims that Punjab has a pending amount of ₹12,000 crore in its State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He clarified that no such funds are available with the state.
Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has termed the ₹1600 crore relief package announced by the Prime Minister for flood-affected areas as unjust towards Punjab. He clarified that the assertion of Punjab having a pending ₹12,000 crore in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is incorrect. The Finance Minister stated that Punjab does not possess such funds, and the package announced by the Prime Minister is insufficient for the affected farmers.
SDRF Claim of ₹12,000 Crore Dismissed
Following his visit to flood-affected regions, the Prime Minister had announced that Punjab has a Disaster Management Fund of ₹12,000 crore, and the state government could utilize it. In addition to this, he made a special announcement of ₹1600 crore. Responding to this, Harpal Cheema said:
'This amount is akin to rubbing salt into the wounds of the affected farmers. More than four lakh acres of crops have been ruined in Punjab, and 51 people have lost their lives due to the floods. In such a situation, an announcement of only ₹1600 crore is an injustice to Punjab.'
The Finance Minister further clarified that the state government does not have any pending fund of ₹12,000 crore, and therefore, determining the relief amount based on this premise is not appropriate.
Accusation Against Prime Minister: Animosity Towards Punjab
Harpal Cheema accused the Prime Minister of harboring personal animosity towards Punjab due to the state's opposition to the farm laws. He stated: 'The three farm laws were most bly opposed by the farmers of Punjab. Therefore, the Prime Minister has not announced adequate relief funds for the people of Punjab. He should take a 10-12 day holiday and reduce the animosity he holds towards Punjab.'
Harpal Cheema described the ₹1600 crore amount as 'a drop in the ocean,' stating that it is insufficient to meet the actual needs of the flood-affected farmers. He also added that in light of more than four lakh acres of crop destruction and 51 deaths, this relief package is meager and unsatisfactory for the affected population.
Insult to State Government Representatives
The Finance Minister also questioned the Prime Minister's visit, alleging that state minister Hardeep Singh Mundia was insulted. He said: 'In a democracy, it is not right to disregard representatives of an elected government and prioritize people from one's own party. If he only wanted to talk to people from his own party, he could have called them to Delhi.'
Harpal Cheema termed the Prime Minister's visit as 'flood tourism.' He stated that Punjab, which has made significant contributions to the country's independence and food security, has been overlooked. He also mentioned that financial aid was promptly released for Afghanistan, which is under Taliban rule.
