Punjab Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema today Flagged off five truckloads of relief material for the flood-hit families of Ajnala Sub-Division from the AAP Office, Sector 76, Mohali. The relief trucks carried 1,000 ration kits, 600 packets of drinking water, 400 mosquito nets, 400 mattresses, and 200 folding beds.
Expressing gratitude to Aam Aadmi Party volunteers and the people of Punjab for their overwhelming contribution towards relief efforts, Mr. Cheema said that Punjab has made countless sacrifices for the nation, and now is the time for the Central Government to stand with its people. Calling upon the Union Government to immediately release interim relief for the flood-affected people of Punjab, the Finance Minister said that this is the right time for the Centre to step forward and extend support to the people who are struggling to safeguard their homes, cattle, crops, and machinery in these difficult circumstances.
He emphasized that, until the complete assessment of losses is finalized, it would be a meaningful gesture on the part of the Centre to extend immediate interim relief. The Minister also urged the Union Government to release the long-pending dues of Rs 60,000 crore—comprising GST arrears, RDF, and road repair funds—so that the Punjab Government can carry out essential infrastructure upgrades.
Appealing to Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Singh Bittu to impress upon their party’s high command to support Punjab in this hour of need, Mr. Cheema criticized the indifference of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, stating that their silence over the current flood crisis reflects an apathetic approach towards the people of Punjab.
He added that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making every possible effort to support the affected families by mobilizing administrative machinery, ministers, and MLAs in the service of humanity. Mr. Cheema was accompanied on the occasion by MLA Kulwant Singh, Chairman of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Dr. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of the Market Committee Govind Mittal, and other local AAP leaders.