Punjab minister calls PM's Rs 1,600 crore flood relief package an insult to state

New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 9, 2025 21:47 IST

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to flood-hit Punjab, the state’s Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Tuesday criticised the Centre’s Rs 1,600 crore relief package, calling it inadequate and "an insult" to the state.

Mundian said he had raised the issue during his meeting with the Prime Minister, pointing out that Punjab has suffered losses worth thousands of crores due to broken roads, damaged farmland, and ruined houses.

While thanking PM Modi for visiting, Mundian, expressing disappointment over the relief package announced, said, "After the Chief Secretary gave him the complete details about the loss of thousands of crores, broken roads, damaged lands, and ruined houses of the people of Punjab, he announced financial assistance of only Rs 1,600 crore. I said this is too little, we need around Rs 60,000 crore. Giving such a small amount is like an insult to Punjab."

The meeting in Gurdaspur, one of the worst affected districts in the state, was attended by Prime Minister Modi, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, among others.

Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the scale of flood damage in the state, highlighting crop destruction across 1.91 lakh hectares.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was absent due to health issues, having been hospitalised for exhaustion and a low heart rate. Prior to the Prime Minister's visit, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had urged the central government to provide a relief package of at least Rs 20,000 crore, highlighting the scale of destruction in the state.

In response, Prime Minister Modi promised an advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured by the floods. Additionally, support for orphaned children under the PM CARES for Children scheme was also announced.

PM Modi stressed the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to aid recovery, which would involve rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, and providing relief through the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Prime Minister Modi's visit included an aerial survey of affected areas and interactions with flood victims and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF. During his visit, he underscored the Union Government's commitment to working closely with the state government to navigate the crisis.

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