“The Central government has not allocated a single rupee from the Rs 1,600-crore package that was promised to Punjab.”
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhangwant Mann on Saturday addressed the state, mentioning that Punjab has not received any single amount from the flood relief fund announced by the central government.
“The Central government has not allocated a single rupee from the Rs 1,600-crore package that was promised to Punjab. The leadership of the BJP in the state is disseminating falsehoods,” he claimed.
In response to the assertion, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu stated that the AAP government in the state was engaging in “dirty politics” regarding the matter. “CM Mann’s assertion is untrue.”
The payment has been made via the Central grants. He stated that the advertisements from the state government regarding flood relief also indicate that the grants were used to cover the compensation.
Bittu stated that Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had already addressed the matter, yet it was surprising that the Punjab CM continued to make “false” assertions.
Mann, however, stated that the money the state has received to date consists only of standard distributions from the current Central schemes, including the State Disaster Response Fund, which Punjab would have obtained regardless of the floods.
“These do not constitute designated flood assistance funds.” These are the resources Punjab receives annually through standard Central schemes. “The special package that BJP leaders are continuously bragging about has experienced no disbursement thus far,” Mann stated.
The Centre declared the compensation following extensive destruction inflicted by the floods during the monsoon season in the state.
The Centre announced a special aid package of around Rs 1,600 crore, in addition to the usual SDRF guidelines. The funding was intended for reconstructing infrastructure, supporting farmers, and offering housing assistance.
Punjab BJP leaders, such as state president Sunil Jakhar and working president Ashwani Sharma, have consistently pointed out transfers amounting to hundreds of crores as proof of the Modi government’s backing, disregarding the AAP government’s grievances as mere “political theatrics.”
Mann on Saturday also revealed the largest road construction initiative in the state’s history, aiming to build 44,920 km of roads.
He stated that the state administration had resolved that by the conclusion of next year, it would construct a total of 44,920 km of roadways throughout all villages, towns, and cities.
Mann stated that the roads would be built with a five-year maintenance agreement, guaranteeing top quality standards and world-class safety features.
Regarding the PRTC staff strike, the CM urged all employees to resume work and choose dialogue with the government. He stated that the state administration was genuinely working to address all concerns of PRTC staff and had even pursued certain issues legally.
Issuing a firm warning to criminals, Mann stated that such individuals should cease their actions and will not be permitted to damage the state’s social fabric.
The CM stated that any gangster who harmed a resident of the state or engaged in any other crime should clearly realize that a suitable lesson would be given to him.
In response to the Haryana Chief Minister’s claim that his visit to express condolences to the family of late basketball player Hardik Rathi was politically motivated, the CM stated he is a sports enthusiast and went to offer his sympathy to the grieving family.
