Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has described the recent floods as the gravest calamity the state has witnessed in the last half-century. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, he said nearly 2,000 villages were affected, impacting more than four lakh people and claiming at least 43 lives across 14 districts.
Cheema highlighted that widespread destruction of farmland and homes occurred after swollen rivers changed course, leaving fertile land barren and crops ruined. He said the floods have dealt a severe blow to Punjab’s economy, which contributes almost one-third of the nation’s agricultural output.
The Finance Minister also reacted strongly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of ₹1,600 crore in aid for Punjab, made during his recent visit to the flood-hit regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. “This package cannot match the scale of losses our farmers and citizens have endured. It is far too little compared to the ground reality,” Cheema remarked, likening the relief to “a drop in the ocean.”
He further criticised the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit, saying it came weeks after the disaster had struck, by which time lakhs had already suffered immense damage. “Punjab expected empathy and support, but instead, political meetings took precedence,” Cheema said.
Sunil Jakhar, commenting separately, also suggested that the announced package was only an initial measure, and larger allocations would be required to help the state recover.
Cheema added that the state government will continue to demand adequate assistance to rebuild homes, restore agriculture, and provide relief to families uprooted by the floods.
