Chandigarh: (Gurpreet Singh): As Punjab continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating floods, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab unit president and state minister Aman Arora has made a strong appeal to the central government, urging an immediate financial intervention to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Speaking to the media, Arora called on the Centre to announce a comprehensive aid package of at least Rs 20,000 crore, citing the extensive damage caused by the floods. “Punjab is suffering. The Centre must step up and provide urgent assistance. A package of Rs 20,000 crore is not just necessary—it is critical for the recovery of the state,” he stated.
Arora criticized Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for not announcing any relief measures during his recent visit to the flood-affected regions. “It was deeply disappointing. One would expect some form of commitment from the Union government when a senior minister visits a disaster-hit area,” he added, labeling the lack of any package announcement as “shameful.”
The remarks come just a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Punjab on September 9. Arora took the opportunity to urge the Prime Minister to address the crisis with decisive action. “If the PM is coming to Punjab, he should not leave without announcing concrete relief. The people here are waiting for help, not just promises,” he emphasized.
Commenting on the issue of the Prime Minister’s security—previously a contentious point during the Congress-led state government—Arora acknowledged the incident but reassured the public that the current AAP administration would ensure the PM’s safety. “Yes, what happened under the Congress regime was unfortunate and unacceptable. But today, we are a responsible government and will ensure that the Prime Minister’s visit is secure and smooth,” he affirmed.
Punjab has been battling widespread destruction due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding over the past few weeks, leading to loss of life, displacement of families, and severe damage to agriculture and infrastructure. The state government has already initiated relief efforts, but officials say federal support is vital for a full recovery.
As the nation watches closely, all eyes will be on the Prime Minister’s visit tomorrow—seen by many as a potential turning point in the state’s battle to rebuild.
