Chandigarh, September 26: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann slammed the opposition for politicizing the issue of floods. On Friday, he said that the people of the state will never forgive these insensitive and opportunist politicians. Their betrayal towards the state and its residents will not be forgotten.
The Chief Minister concluded the discussion during a special session on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He stated that it is unfortunate these so-called experienced politicians of the state are spitting venom against the government during the floods. Instead of providing a healing touch, they are spreading negativity. He said that these politicians are only politicizing this issue for the sake of their vested political interests which is unwarranted and undesirable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that when the people of state were running pillar to post for relief and rehabilitation in the floods these politicians were desperately making efforts to hog media limelight.
Punjab CM Mann Slams Leaders, Praises Punjabis’ Bravery Amid Floods
The Chief Minister said he convened this special session to discuss the state’s rehabilitation after the floods, but these leaders’ myopic mindset has turned it into a platform for criticism. He said that Punjab is a blessed land and has a tendency to rise from ashes but such backstabbers have always tried to ruin it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the natural disasters even bowed before the hard work and determination of the Punjabis adding he cited the Battle of Saragarhi, Battle of Longewala and others to apprise about the bravery of the Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that whenever the country has faced any problem or difficulty Punjab has saved the country whether it was making the country self-reliant in food production, safeguarding its borders or even in national freedom struggle. However, he said that when Punjab faces any problem the Union government becomes insensitive to our problems and leaves us to face it on our own. Bhagwant Singh Mann cited that after the Dinanagar attack, the Centre asked Punjab to pay the price for the Indian Army, which had come to neutralize the terror strike from across the border.
CM Mann Calls Punjabis to Unite and Rebuild Punjab
Giving a clarion call to all the Punjabis to unite in this hour of grave crisis, the Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour to rebuild the state adding that if needed he will not hesitate to stage a protest outside the residence of the Prime Minister for the sake of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is not afraid of the misuse of the central agencies to muzzle the voice of democracy and will continue to fight for safeguarding the interests of the state. He said that it is the need of the hour as history will remember all those who worked for the welfare of the state in this hour of crisis and the others who created obstacles.
The Chief Minister said that this is the time when all of us should join hands and sink our differences to steer Punjab and its people out of this grave crisis. He said that all the leaders should use their influence to help the people of the state to come out of this crisis adding that it is the real service of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that with the concerted efforts of the state government and support of all the philanthropists the day is not far when Punjab will re-emerge as the frontrunner state in the country.
CM Mann: Focus on Flood Relief, Not Politics”
The Chief Minister unequivocally asked the opposition to stop the blame game as the floods were a natural catastrophe rather than being a manmade disaster as alleged by them. He challenged the opposition.They should explain who planned the floods in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other states. Did the Punjab government, led by him, execute them?Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the opposition should refrain from doing politics in this hour of grave crisis when the state is facing its worst disaster.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that the floods have submerged over 2,300 villages. They have affected more than 2 million people. The floods destroyed crops across five lakh acres of land. He said the tragedy claimed 56 lives and rendered around seven lakh people homeless. He added that floods damaged 3,200 government schools. Nineteen colleges were reduced to rubble. The floods ruined 1,400 clinics and hospitals. They destroyed 8,500 kilometers of roads and collapsed 2,500 bridges. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that, as per initial estimates, the total damage amounts to approximately Rs 13,800 crore. The actual figure can be even higher.
The Chief Minister said the state government has desilted drains very effectively. He added that while the previous regime cleaned 2,066 kilometers of drains, his government has cleaned 3,825 kilometers in just three years. He said that they have been vehemently pleading with the Union government for the desilting of Bhakra and Pong Dam. Unfortunately, it has not taken place for the last 70 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that desilting the Ghaggar river this year prevented floods, even with excess water in the river.
CM Mann Slams IMD Forecasts, Calls PM Flood Aid Insufficient
The Chief Minister criticized predictions made by the IMD. He said that all the forecasts from this agency were irrelevant. They were far from the truth. Citing an example, he said that on one day, the rainfall was recorded 1961% more than the prediction. This discrepancy raised serious question marks over their credibility. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that probably some blue eyed officer is handling the charge of this office. This officer belongs to the central government. This officer is not well aware of this work.
The Chief Minister said that this disaster was huge as Pong Dam received 60.4% more water than 1988, when Punjab witnessed floods and Bhakra Dam witnessed 2.65% more water. Likewise, he said that in Ranjit Sagar Dam the water received was 65.3% more than the water received in 2023, which was beyond anyone’s imagination. Talking about the State Disaster Relief Fund, it was earlier known as the Calamity Relief Fund. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that over the last 25 years, the state received ₹6,190 crore in funds. During this period, the Akali-BJP ruled the state for 12 years and Congress for 10 years.
The Chief Minister stated the claim that the state had Rs 12,000 crore as SDRF was a figment of imagination. He accused leaders of using this claim to criticize the government for their vested political interests. He said that it is ironic. The Prime Minister, during his visit to the state, gave only Rs 1600 crore. This amount was insufficient for the state, as its 2305 villages have been devastated due to floods. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Rs 1600 crore from the Prime Minister will provide only Rs 80 lakh to each flood-affected village. This is a miniscule amount.
CM Mann Criticizes PM, Opposition Over Flood Response
The Chief Minister alleged that the Prime Minister, during his state visit, met only the Congress wing of the BJP. He did not meet with others. They were handpicked by him. He did not meet the real flood-affected people. He called it unfortunate that the Prime Minister shows little concern for the problems faced by the countrymen. Instead, he is busy making tours to foreign countries. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a grave insult and shows insensitivity towards the people of the country. He added that these foreign tours and the foreign policy of the PM have not yielded any result.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has successfully crossed the first phase. They achieved this by safeguarding the people of the state from the fury of floods. He extended words of gratitude towards youngsters, the Army, and other social workers. They saved the precious lives of people while putting themselves in danger. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that even in this grim situation a number of people wanted an opportunity to criticize him.
The Chief Minister said that the leaders from the ruling party were busy serving and saving the people. Meanwhile, some key leaders of the opposition used this opportunity for a photo session in a ‘Jaunga’. He said that the people of the state were suffering. However, opposition leaders pretended to care and threw tantrums just for politics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Union Ministers came only for photo sessions during the floods. The Prime Minister added insult with a cruel joke by announcing just ₹1,600 crores.
CM Mann Launches Rangla Punjab Fund for Flood Relief
The Chief Minister asserted that the state government has been effectively working to protect Punjab from the fury of floods. They held the first flood control meeting on April 4. He contrasted this with the previous Congress governments. They delayed such meetings until July or later. The meetings were held on June 12 in 2017, July 1 in 2018, and July 19 in 2019. Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the government has launched the Rangla Punjab Fund. This initiative aims to expedite relief and rehabilitation in the state.
The Chief Minister assured that the government will judiciously utilize every penny contributed to this fund. The fund will be used for the welfare of flood-affected people in the state. He explained that the government started a new fund because the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund had certain limitations. He clarified that companies cannot contribute CSR funds to it. Also, MPs cannot contribute more than ₹20 lakh to the CM Relief Fund. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that the government created this new fund to overcome these challenges. It has already received an overwhelming response from every section of society.
“CM Mann Targets Akalis Over Misrule and Misleading Funds
The Chief Minister targeted Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. He said that the President of Akali Dal now boasts about raising concrete walls around the rivers. He reminded people that the Akalis failed to even construct streets during their long misrule.He accused the Akali Chief of using money earned through wrong means and rotating the same fund in most villages to mislead people
Bhagwant Singh Mann added that the former Deputy Chief Minister boasts about massive development during their regime but ignores Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan, and other places where the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed.
