AAP’s Manish Sisodia Slams Centre Over Punjab Flood Relief Delays
New Delhi, September 7: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has hit out at the central government, saying it hasn’t taken any real steps to help Punjab battle the massive floods. This comes even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit the flood-hit state on September 9.
Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, Sisodia called on the Union government to roll out immediate relief measures right away. He pointed out that Punjab is owed a whopping Rs 60,000 crore officially, and it’s high time the Centre steps up.
"My take is that we need huge-scale relief because the flooding has been so widespread," Sisodia said. "It’s great that PM Modi is coming to Punjab, and he even chatted with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the phone. Home Minister Amit Shah talked to CM Mann too, and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the state. But honestly, no solid actions have happened yet. Punjab needs help today—the Centre should announce something quickly."
Sisodia, who just wrapped up a tour of flood-ravaged areas like Tarn Taran and Kapurthala, shared the tough spot farmers are in. They’re dealing with ruined crops and worries about the upcoming Kharif season.
"In some fields, sand has piled up over two feet deep," he explained. "Farmers are wondering how to clear it. If it stays there, their fertile land could get ruined forever."
To tackle this, Sisodia said the Punjab government under CM Mann is crafting a special policy. It would let farmers remove the sand from their own fields without hassle.
"Right now, rules block mining without permits, but CM Mann promised to fix this," Sisodia added. "In 2-3 days, once he recovers from his illness, they’ll officially announce the policy."
He also praised AAP’s on-ground efforts, with leaders and volunteers jumping into relief work across villages. "I visited many spots myself, cheered on our teams, and heard from people. The big fear everywhere? Farmers are stressing over their crops and what’s next for them," Sisodia noted.
As Punjab grapples with devastating floods, eyes are on PM Modi’s visit and what relief the Centre might bring for affected farmers and residents.
