On the issue of providing assistance and releasing funds for the recent floods in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on September 30, 2025.
SNPNEWS.IN News Update, October 2025: On September 30, 2025, Punjab Cm Bhagwant Mann held a 25-minute meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The meeting was to discuss the damage caused by severe floods in Punjab during the last week of August, which claimed approximately 60 lives and affected thousands.
After the meeting, Mann held a press conference where he termed the Centre’s announced aid of ₹1,600 crore as “a drop in the ocean” and demanded a larger relief package. He stated that thousands of kilometers of roads, schools, and residential buildings in Punjab had been destroyed by the floods, causing significant losses to the state’s people. Mann urged the Central Government to provide additional support and demanded the approval of extra funds for disaster relief.
Shortly after the Chief Minister’s meeting and press conference, the Central Government issued a press statement clarifying the situation, stating that Punjab has ₹12,589.59 crore available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which can be utilized for relief and immediate restoration as per the Government of India’s norms.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated that the Modi government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Punjab and is committed to providing all possible assistance to the flood-affected population. The Centre has already provided all necessary support to the state administration during the recent floods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab on September 9, 2025, to assess the flood situation and the extent of the damage. Of the ₹1,600 crore financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister, ₹805 crore (including ₹170 crore approved by the NHAI) has already been released to the intended beneficiaries under various schemes, with the remaining amount to be disbursed upon receiving relevant information from the state.
Additionally, on September 1, 2025, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was constituted without waiting for a memorandum from the Punjab government. The team visited the affected areas from September 3 to 6, 2025, to assess the damage on-site. However, the state government has not yet submitted a detailed memorandum. Once received, the memorandum will be considered as per the norms approved by the Government of India.
Furthermore, the state can prepare a recovery and reconstruction plan for livelihoods and damaged infrastructure. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already issued guidelines for the Recovery and Reconstruction (R&R) funding window under the SDRF.
Key Points of the Centre’s Rebuttal:
● Available Funds: The Centre highlighted that Punjab has ₹12,589.59 crore in the SDRF, which can be used immediately for relief and restoration.
● Funds Disbursed: Out of the ₹1,600 crore announced, ₹805 crore has already been released, with the rest pending due to the state’s delay in providing necessary details.
● IMCT Assessment: The Central team conducted an on-site evaluation despite the state’s failure to submit a detailed memorandum.
● Commitment to Support: Amit Shah reiterated the Centre’s commitment to supporting Punjab, emphasizing that the Modi government has provided all required assistance.
● Recovery Plan: The Centre urged Punjab to prepare a recovery and reconstruction plan under SDRF guidelines for long-term restoration.
The Centre’s response aims to counter Mann’s claims by highlighting the availability of SDRF funds and partial disbursement of the announced aid. However, the delay in Punjab’s submission of a detailed memorandum remains a point of contention.