Punjab Flood Relief Row: AAP Accuses Centre of Betrayal as ₹1600 Crore Remains Unreleased

Punjab Flood 2025:  Questions are now being raised about the ₹1,600 crore relief package announced by the central government following the devastating floods in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, aggressively raised the issue in a special session of the Assembly. The party alleges that the package, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 9th, has become nothing more than a "jumla," as not a single rupee has yet reached the Punjab government's coffers.

AAP accuses Centre of "betrayal"

On Friday, AAP MLAs protested in the Assembly, holding placards and shouting slogans. Calling it a "betrayal" of Punjab, the MLAs said that the state needed ₹20,000 crore, but the central government announced only ₹1,600 crore and did not distribute even that. The MLAs said this was merely a political stunt, not a serious relief effort.

"PM's visit was limited to a photo session" 

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab as a mere "photo op." He said the Prime Minister didn't even bother to meet the families who lost their loved ones. Cheema also criticized the Congress, alleging that instead of standing with the state during the crisis, the opposition parties supported the BJP.

"Not ₹1,600 crore, we need a ₹20,000 crore package" 

Water Resources Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal, while presenting a motion in the Assembly, said that the state has been devastated by the floods, and the central government's assurance of ₹1,600 crore is "grossly inadequate" compared to the actual needs. He pointed out that crops have been destroyed, roads and bridges have collapsed, and millions of people have been rendered homeless. Therefore, the central government should immediately release a special relief package of ₹20,000 crore.

"This is not relief, it's an insult" 

Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian called the relief "an insult to Punjab," saying that the sum of ₹1,600 crore was nothing compared to the state's extensive losses. He recalled that the Chief Secretary himself had provided a detailed account of the damage to the Prime Minister, detailing the destruction of 191,000 hectares of crops, and the destruction of roads and houses. Despite this, the central government ignored this grave disaster.

Punjab will demand its rights, not charity

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann delivered a clear message from the Assembly, stating that Punjab will no longer seek "charity," but will instead fight for its rights. He stated that this is not just a question of a relief package, but an issue of Punjab's "honor and dignity." He warned that the state needs up to ₹60,000 crore for reconstruction, compensation, and infrastructure restoration, and the central government must take cognizance of this.