Chandigarh: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Centre’s Rs 1,600 crore relief package for flood-hit areas of Punjab, terming it a “grave injustice”. He has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding at least Rs 20,000 crore as financial assistance.
In a strongly worded letter, Gandhi described the devastation he witnessed during his recent visit to Punjab as “shocking and disturbing”. He cited the loss of over four lakh acres of paddy crop, the death of more than 10 lakh animals and the displacement of lakhs of families, many of whom belong to marginalised communities.
“The floods have left large tracts of land uncultivable in the near future. Thousands of acres remain submerged and villages are cut off from each other. This tragedy requires very bold steps from the central government,” Gandhi wrote.
The Congress leader also highlighted the resilience of the people of Punjab, noting how residents “opened their homes to strangers and shared what they had” despite the widespread devastation.
