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Key Points

Punjab's Leader of Opposition has raised serious questions about the money available for flood victims. Partap Singh Bajwa wrote to the Union Finance Minister pointing out vastly different figures quoted by the Prime Minister and the Punjab Chief Minister. He is demanding a verified account of the State Disaster Response Fund to ensure transparency. With the state assembly session approaching, clarity on these funds is critical for providing timely aid to affected citizens.

Key Points: Bajwa Demands Sitharaman Clarify Modi Mann SDRF Flood Fund Discrepancy

  • Bajwa cites PM Modi's claim of Rs 12,000 crore SDRF balance against CM Mann's figure of Rs 1,582 crore
  • He describes the larger figure as potentially an accounting entry requiring verification
  • The CAG report noted an SDRF balance of over Rs 9,041 crore as of March 2023
  • Over 198,000 hectares of crop area have been affected by Punjab floods
  • The demand for clarity comes ahead of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session on flood relief
  • The letter seeks a verified report on SDRF receipts and expenditure from 2021-22
3 min read

Punjabis deserve to know truth on flood relief funds: Punjab LoP Bajwa writes to FM Sitharaman, demands verified details of SDRF accounts

Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa writes to FM Sitharaman, citing a Rs 12,000 crore vs Rs 1,582 crore gap in flood relief funds between PM Modi and CM Mann.

"This is not a partisan issue. It is about federal integrity, fiscal transparency, and the basic right of every Punjabi to know the truth. - Partap Singh Bajwa"

Chandigarh, September 23

Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday wrote a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and claimed discrepancies in figures regarding the availability of funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for flood relief operations.

Bajwa highlighted the discrepancy between figures announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and those reported by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

He urged Sitharaman to provide a clear and verified account.

"While announcing a grant of RS 1,600 crore, the Prime Minister categorically stated that nearly Rs 12,000 crore were available with the State Government under accumulated SDRF balances from 2010 to 2025. In stark contrast, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema have claimed that only Rs 1,582 crore were received, of which Rs 649 crore have been spent during the AAP government's tenure, as reported by a media outlet on September 11, 2025," Bajwa said.

Bajwa further described the Rs 12,000 crore figure as "largely an accounting entry," whereas the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, as of March 31, 2023, recorded an SDRF balance of Rs 9,041.74 crore, including transfers and accrued interest.

The Congress leader further stated that such contradictions cannot be ignored, particularly as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to convene from September 26 to 29, 2025, to discuss flood relief and rehabilitation. He emphasised that clarity on the true status of SDRF funds is critical to ensure timely assistance to the thousands of flood-affected citizens.

Moreover, Bajwa urged the Finance Ministry to provide a comprehensive, verified report covering 2021-22 onwards, outlining year-wise receipts under both the Central and State shares of SDRF, including interest accrued on unspent balances, and year-wise expenditures reported by the State Government.

"This is not a partisan issue. It is about federal integrity, fiscal transparency, and the basic right of every Punjabi to know the truth. At a time of unprecedented distress, our people deserve full honesty in how funds meant for their welfare are being managed. I trust you will intervene to guarantee that the truth is placed before the House and the people of Punjab without delay," he added.

According to the flood report as of September 15,1,98,525 hectares of total crop area have been affected in Punjab with major losses reported in Gurdaspur (40,169 hectares), Patiala (17,690 hectares), Tarn Taran (12,828 hectares), Fazilka (25,182 hectares), Ferozepur (17,257 hectares) and Kapurthala (17,574 hectares), etc.

According to Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh, the total death toll due to floods in Punjab has reached 56 across the state to date.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As someone from Patiala district, I've seen the flood damage firsthand. It's heartbreaking to see politics over relief funds when people need help urgently. Both state and central governments should work together.
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Sarah B
The difference between ₹12,000 crore and ₹1,582 crore is massive! This needs proper auditing. Hope the Finance Minister responds quickly with verified data.
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Arjun K
While I appreciate Bajwa raising this issue, I wish opposition parties were equally vigilant when their own governments were in power. Transparency should be consistent, not selective. 🤔
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Kavya N
56 lives lost and nearly 2 lakh hectares destroyed - this is a tragedy. The focus should be on helping affected families, not political point-scoring. Please release the funds without delay!
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Michael C
The CAG report mentioned here should be the basis for clarification. Independent audit reports don't lie. Hope the truth comes out soon for the sake of Punjab's people.
D
Divya L
My uncle's farm in Gurdaspur is completely destroyed. We need immediate relief, not debates. But yes, proper accounting is important to ensure funds reach the right people. 🚜

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