Punjab BJP Accuses AAP Government of Misleading Public on Rs 12,000 Crore Disaster Relief Funds

The Punjab BJP has accused the AAP government of misleading the public about Rs 12,000 crore in disaster relief funds. Citing a CAG report, they claim the funds are not as stated by the government. Prime Minister Modi had previously announced additional financial assistance for flood-hit areas.

The Punjab BJP has accused the AAP government of deceiving the public regarding Rs 12,000 crore allocated for disaster relief. Anil Sarin, the state BJP unit's general secretary, referenced a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to support these claims. Sarin stated that the report highlights discrepancies in the AAP government's statements about the funds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced an additional Rs 1,600 crore for flood-affected Punjab, supplementing the Rs 12,000 crore already available. Sarin mentioned that according to the CAG report, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) was Rs 7,334 crore for 2020-21. It increased to Rs 8,194.80 crore in 2021-22 and reached Rs 9,041.74 crore by 2022-23.

Discrepancies in Fund Allocation

Sarin claimed that by March 31, 2023, the SDRF stood at Rs 9,041.74 crore. He added that subsequent funds received in 2023-24 and 2024-25 brought the total to Rs 12,000 crore. This contradicts Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's earlier statement that only Rs 5,012 crore was received since the fund's inception in 2010-11.

Cabinet ministers Barinder Goyal and Hardeep Singh Mundian had previously acknowledged that Rs 12,000 crore was with the state government. With PM Modi's announcement of an immediate relief of Rs 1,600 crore, Sarin argued that a total of Rs 13,600 crore is available in the disaster fund.

Political Tensions Rise

Despite these figures, Chief Minister Mann asserted that Rs 3,820 crore had been spent from the SDRF. He urged BJP leaders to refrain from politicising the issue during this crisis. Mann insisted that the situation is clear and accused the BJP of exaggerating facts to mislead people.

The ongoing debate between Punjab's political parties over disaster relief funds highlights significant tensions. The BJP's allegations against the AAP government have sparked a heated exchange of accusations and denials.

This dispute underscores broader challenges in managing disaster relief funds effectively and transparently. As both parties continue to clash over financial allocations, it remains crucial for accurate information to reach the public.

With inputs from PTI