Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a revision of the relief package for Punjab. He stressed that before approaching the PM, Mann must resolve the confusion with Chief Secretary KAP Sinha over the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) figure.
Jakhar pointed out that while CM Mann claimed the Centre had released only ₹1,582 crore, the Chief Secretary’s records showed entries of ₹12,000 crore. He warned that “contradictory figures” could weaken the state’s case before the Centre. Jakhar accused the AAP government of mishandling funds and forcing cash-rich panchayats to contribute 5% of their reserves for flood relief.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also launched an attack, alleging that the AAP government “squandered ₹12,000 crore on helicopter rides and personal luxuries” instead of using it for flood relief. The controversy has raised questions about transparency in fund management and deepened the political blame game.
Jakhar reiterated that Punjab needs urgent relief but accountability must come first. The fund mystery, he said, is delaying proper aid to flood-hit people.
