Central Government Endorses Facts Presented by Punjab Government on Floods: Barinder Kumar Goyal

Lehragaga, December 2, 2025: Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal stated that the Punjab Government has consistently maintained that this year’s devastating floods in the State were not caused by any shortcomings in governance or dam management. Instead, the floods occurred due to unprecedented and excessive rainfall. Whenever the Punjab Government or its representatives presented these facts, opposition parties contradicted them and targeted the Government with baseless accusations.

However, responding to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, has now clearly confirmed that the floods occurred due to extreme rainfall and not due to any lapse in dam management. This statement validates the facts consistently presented by the Punjab Government and proves the allegations of the opposition to be false.

Addressing a press conference at Saurabh Complex, Lehra, Goyal added that when the floods hit Punjab, the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan visited the State but made another baseless claim — that mining activities caused the floods. Technically, he said, no such evidence has ever emerged.

The Minister further clarified that in the Legislative Assembly, opposition members falsely alleged that 7.15 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Ranjit Sagar Dam. However, he himself had already stated on record that only 2.25 lakh cusecs was released. The remaining water came from river catchment areas and adjoining tributaries, which was a natural phenomenon.

Goyal stated that during the flood crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation, and the people of Punjab believed the Centre would offer substantial support. Contrary to expectations, the Central Government announced only ₹1,600 crore as compensation, despite total losses amounting to nearly ₹20,000 crore.

He further said that those who kept politicising the flood issue never criticised the Centre for providing such an insufficient compensation package.

Goyal alleged that the Central Government — whether governed by BJP or Congress — has continuously adopted a step-motherly approach towards Punjab. First, Punjab’s waters were taken away in violation of the riparian principle, and now attempts are being made to weaken the State’s control by interfering in matters such as BBMB and Panjab University.

He also termed the decision to deploy Central security forces at Bhakra Dam in place of the Punjab Police as dictatorial, noting that Punjab Police is globally recognised for its capability to handle any situation. Recently, the Centre issued a circular to appoint the BBMB Secretary on its own terms, undermining Punjab-cadre officers who have served in the Board for over 20 years. When those officers approached the Hon’ble High Court and the verdict appeared likely to go against the Centre, the circular was quietly withdrawn.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government has responsibly convened special Assembly sessions from time to time to discuss crucial issues concerning the State, sought inputs from all MLAs, and passed resolutions accordingly. Yet, opposition parties continued to make unfounded accusations — and now the truth is before the entire nation.

The Punjab Government has always shared fact-based information and never kept the people in the dark. Today, once again, truth has prevailed.