PM's Relief A "Cruel Joke" On Punjab's Flood-Ravaged People: Cheema
Strongly Condemns PM Modi's 'Meagre and Insulting' Flood Aid for State
Says, losses incurred by our farmers, labourers, poor people, businesses, and infrastructure run into tens of thousands of crores
Chandigarh, September 9-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today expressed his strong condemnation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's financial assistance package for Punjab, calling it a "cruel joke" on the state's flood-ravaged people. He lambasted the Central government for the "meagre and insulting" flood relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his aerial survey of the state.
In a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the aid of Rs 1,600 crore is a cruel joke on the people of Punjab who have suffered devastating losses in what has been described as the worst floods in four decades. He said, "The Prime Minister's visit was nothing more than a photo-op. After weeks of our state battling an unprecedented natural calamity, the Prime Minister has finally responded with an aid package that is a pittance.The losses incurred by our farmers, labourers, poor people, businesses, and infrastructure run into tens of thousands of crores, and the Union government has the audacity to offer a paltry sum of Rs 1,600 crore."
Specifically mentioning the immense suffering of the poor people whose houses were destroyed and the loss being faced by the labourers, the Punjab Finance Minister said that many of these people are under open sky, and labourers have not earned a Penny.
He highlighted the immense damage suffered by the poor people , including widespread destruction of crops, homes, and public infrastructure. He said that the state government has already announced compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for farmers and Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives.
"We are doing everything in our power to provide relief, but the scale of the disaster is such that it requires substantial and immediate support from the Centre. The Prime Minister's announcement is a grave injustice to the people of Punjab," he added.
The Finance Minister further criticized the Central government for its perceived apathy towards Punjab.He reiterated the state's long-standing demand for the release of pending funds from the Centre, including the GST compensation and other dues, which he said amount to over Rs 60,000 crore.
"The Prime Minister has not even responded to the letter written by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seeking the release of these funds. Instead of providing the necessary support, the Centre is politicizing a humanitarian crisis," he said.
The Punjab Finance Minister concluded by calling on the Central government to immediately reassess the situation and announce a comprehensive and adequate financial package to help Punjab recover from the disaster. "The people of Punjab have stood by the nation in every crisis. Now, in our time of need, we expect the Union government to stand by us," he concluded.
============================
"PRIME MINISTER CAME ONLY FOR A PHOTO OP"
MERE RS.1600 CRORE RELIEF PACKAGE IN THE FACE OF SUCH DEVASTATING FLOODS IS AN INSULT TO PUNJAB
PUNJAB DESERVED RS.80,000 CRORE, ONLY 2% OF THE DEMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN
PUNJAB CABINET MINISTERS SLAM PRIME MINISTER FOR MEAGRE RELIEF
Chandigarh, September 9:Punjab Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Laljit Singh Bhullar today came down heavily on the Prime Minister for announcing a meagre Rs.1600 crore relief package for Punjab’s flood-hit people against the State’s rightful demand of Rs.80,000 crore. Terming the PM announcement as nothing more than a token gesture, they said it amounts to adding insult to injury for millions of people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and crops in one of the most devastating floods in Punjab’s history.
Launching a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for announcing a mere Rs.1600 crore relief package for flood victims of Punjab, the Cabinet Ministers, in a joint statements, said that this paltry amount is nothing short of rubbing salt into the wounds of millions of suffering people.
"Punjab has witnessed one of the most devastating floods in recent history, which swept away homes, crops and livelihoods, leaving entire villages under water. In such a grim situation, they added, the Centre’s relief is a drop in the ocean compared to the colossal loss Punjab has endured.
The Cabinet Ministers said that the people of Punjab, who have always stood tall as the food bowl of the nation and the defenders of its frontiers, deserve better than such stepmotherly treatment.
The Cabinet Ministers further said that when the backbone of Punjab’s agrarian economy is broken, what is needed is immediate and substantial support, not tokenism. The Ministers stressed that the demand of Rs.20,000 crore was not a figure pulled out of thin air, but a carefully calculated estimate of the damage on ground.
They asserted that the Centre’s decision amounts to turning a blind eye to the plight of farmers, labourers and general public who are struggling to rebuild their lives.
The Ministers said that in testing times of disaster, the Prime Minister should have shown a big heart by rising above narrow calculations and extending wholehearted support to Punjab. "When the house is on fire, one does not count drops of water and in the same way, piecemeal relief cannot heal the wounds of a disaster of this magnitude", they added.
=============================================
Hardeep Singh Mundian appeals to PM, Nothing will be done with Rs 1600 Cr, give at least an interim relief of Rs 20,000 Cr
Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundia has termed the meagre relief of Rs 1600 Cr announced for Punjab as insufficient for Punjab, which is suffering from the devastating floods, and has said that at least an interim relief of Rs 20,000 Cr should be released and the blocked funds of Rs 60,000 Cr should be released. Giving only Rs 1600 Cr against the demand of Rs 80,000 Cr is a cruel joke on the food bowl state.