PM has already given Rs 11,000 cr for disaster management to Punjab: Chugh

Chandigarh, September 5, 2025: BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already given Rs 11,000 crores to Punjab for disaster management and now it is the responsibility of the Bhagwant Mann government to get girdawari done for an estimated assistance.

Chugh said the Modi government firmly stands by Punjab in this hour of crisis.

He said union agriculture minister Shivraj Chauhan has taken a first hand review of the situation saying that the Modi government stands shoulder to shoulder with every farmers.

Chugh said that two Central teams have also arrived in Punjab on the Prime Minister’s instructions, with senior officials from agriculture, rural development, energy, finance, roads and Jal Shakti departments assessing the extent of the damage. He expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for releasing Rs. 11,000 crore for NDRF, whose tireless efforts have rescued more than 15,000 people including children, elderly, pregnant women and the differently-abled from raging waters.

However, Chugh sharply criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government for pushing Punjab into what he called a “man-made disaster.” He recalled that IMD had predicted above-normal rains as early as April 15, while BBMB’s technical committee on April 23 recommended reducing reservoir levels to create buffer space. Instead of acting, the Mann government deployed police at Bhakra gates, stalled water release and dragged the issue into a political spectacle.

Chugh said the result is before the people — delayed, sudden releases of 65,000 cusecs from Bhakra and 80,000 from Pong that devastated villages downstream. He added that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister and Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister, embankments along Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar were strengthened to protect crops. Illegal mining and negligence have since weakened them, allowing floodwaters to enter villages.

Chugh asked why flood-preparedness meetings were held barely 17 days before the monsoon, when months of planning were required. He accused CM Bhagwant Mann and his entire cabinet of campaigning in Delhi for Arvind Kejriwal instead of preparing Punjab. “Even after losing Delhi, they did not learn. They continued feasting and hosting Kejriwal and Sisodia at Punjab taxpayers’ expense while Punjab drowned,” Chugh said.

He concluded that Punjab’s suffering today is not a natural calamity but the direct result of AAP’s negligence and reckless politics.