PATIALA: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday slammed the opposition for politicising a natural catastrophe and said that he is busy in ensuring relief for the Punjabis and will give befitting reply to them at an appropriate time.
"It is strange that while he is busy serving the Punjabis affected with the floods, the opposition is grabbing this opportunity to settle the political score. This is shameful on part of leaders of the opposition that they are stooping too low by mudslinging during this hour of crisis. Once the security and safety of people of state is ensured, I will surely reply to these idle and rejected political leaders", said Bhagwant Mann.
He dared the opposition to explain whether rain took place due to him or was he responsible for excessive flow of water in the state from hills.
"These leaders are criticizing me just because of their political compulsions, but people will not forgive them. These leaders never bother about Punjab but are always trying to get political mileage even when Punjabis are suffering. Those who are boasting that the centre has issued Rs 218 crore must remember that this fund was issued on July 10. The state government can’t spend this amount in 72 hours adding that damage has been minimised as the government had taken preventive measures well in advance. The Ghaggar was cleaned well in advance like the other drains and rivulets in the states”, he said.
Bhagwant added, "The state will not beg for any financial assistance from Centre but will certainly send the estimates of loss to them. A huge damage has been caused to the state in wake of floods and assessment will be made in coming days. If the Centre will help the state it is ok otherwise the state is capable of managing it on its own. Due to continuous de-silting and cleaning of canals well in advance the water has reached at their tail end a few days back. Now also these cleaned drains and rivulets carried maximum water thereby ensuring less damage. The incessant rain both in hills and the state has created havoc in Punjab but the state government is ensuring full help to people in this hour of crisis".
He added, "Though rainfall in Punjab was less but lot of water came from the hills downstream and affected Punjab. States like Himachal and Haryana always demand for water and cess from state whereas now they are not ready to keep excessive water with them. These states are putting their excessive water towards the state thereby causing huge damage in Punjab. It is surprising that now these states are mum on their share of waters from Punjab and are sending excess water to us for ruining the state. Special thrust is being laid to ensure relief in the worst affected areas of the state so that people do not face any sort of problem. Priority is being given to carry rescue and relief work in the badly affected areas of the state. All the dams in the state are safe and water is flowing below the danger mark".
