The central government should release Punjab’s withheld funds and also announce an immediate special relief package for the flood-affected areas,” – Aman Arora
Punjab E News (September 5): Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sanjay Singh, along with Punjab Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora and Cabinet Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O., today visited the flood-affected areas of Dera Baba Nanak. On this occasion, Dera Baba Nanak MLA Mr. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Amritsar South MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Dalwinderjeet Singh, SSP Batala Mr. Sohel Qasim Mir, newly appointed Chairman of the District Planning Committee and AAP District President Mr. Joban Randhawa, and Chairman of the Gurdaspur Improvement Trust Mr. Rajeev Sharma were also present.
This morning, Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sanjay Singh, Punjab Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora, and Cabinet Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. first flagged off trolleys carrying relief materials for the flood victims at Shahpur Jajan Patti Rampur village. After this, they visited the Dera Baba Nanak area and the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor to assess the damage caused by the floods.
Talking to the media on this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sanjay Singh said it is very unfortunate that many areas of Punjab are reeling under severe floods, with farmers losing crops, livestock, and ordinary people suffering massive financial losses, yet the Modi-led central government has not announced any special relief package for Punjab. He said the Modi government is extending help to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan but not to its own people in India. Questioning the central government, he asked why immediate relief materials were sent to Afghanistan, but there is a delay in providing financial and humanitarian aid to flood-hit Punjab. Mr. Sanjay Singh added that yesterday Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Shivraj Chouhan visited Punjab’s flood-affected areas, but even he did not announce any relief for the state. He said that instead of merely talking about reports after so many days, the Union Agriculture Minister should announce a relief package for the affected people of Punjab. He further said that the central government should stop treating Punjab with stepmotherly behavior and extend a helping hand during this difficult time.
On this occasion, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Mr. Aman Arora said that during this flood crisis, the Punjab government stands firmly with its people and will leave no stone unturned in dealing with this situation. He said that the entire machinery of the Punjab government is working with full capacity on relief operations in the flood-affected areas.
Mr. Aman Arora said that Aam Aadmi Party’s National Convener Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Mr. Manish Sisodia, along with all ministers and MLAs of the Punjab government, are visiting the flood-affected areas to assess the damage on the ground and are also actively contributing to the relief and rescue operations. He further said that all volunteers of the Aam Aadmi Party are working day and night in the flood-affected areas for relief efforts. Additionally, he acknowledged that social service organizations are also making significant contributions to help the flood victims, for which the Punjab government is grateful.
Mr. Aman Arora said that Punjab, which has consistently contributed to the country’s food security and economic strength, should receive immediate and adequate assistance from the central government during this difficult time. He said it is very unfortunate that Punjab has been submerged in floods for several days, yet the Modi-led central government has not extended any help to the people of Punjab.
Mr. Aman Arora said that since the implementation of GST by the central government, Punjab has suffered a loss of ₹50,000 crore due to GST. In addition, the central government has deliberately withheld ₹8,000 crore belonging to Punjab from the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Development Fund (MDF). He said that instead of releasing Punjab’s rightful funds, the central government even canceled ₹828 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana just 15 days ago. He emphasized that this money comes from the taxes paid by the people of Punjab, and the state has a full right to it. Mr. Aman Arora demanded that the central government immediately release Punjab’s withheld funds and announce a special financial package to mitigate the impact of floods and restore the state’s economy.
