Punjab Horticulture and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Wednesday came down heavily on the Centre Government for not extending financial assistance to Punjab during the ongoing natural calamity of floods.
Addressing the media at Circuit House Jalandhar, the Minister said that while the entire state was reeling under severe floods, the Centre had yet to announce any special relief package to support Punjab in this hour of crisis.
Accompanied by Chairman District Planning Committee Amritpal Singh and senior AAP leaders Nitin Kohli, Dinesh Dhall and Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, Mr. Bhagat termed the Centre’s indifference “unfortunate,” saying it had turned a blind eye towards the devastation that had caused heavy losses to property and lives.
The Minister asserted that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was leaving no stone unturned to provide relief. “The entire Cabinet, MLAs and party leaders are personally visiting affected areas to oversee relief operations and extend help to people,” he said, adding that extensive rescue measures and relief camps were already functional across the state.
Appealing to people not to panic, Mr. Bhagat assured that Punjab would overcome this calamity with resilience and unity. He also highlighted the efforts of local authorities in swiftly draining out rainwater from Jalandhar city to restore normalcy.