Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made an impassioned plea for the release of ₹60,000 crore in "pending" funds from the Central Government, emphasising that he is demanding Punjab's rightful dues, not begging, to address the catastrophic floods ravaging the state.

While touring flood-hit villages in Ferozepur, Mann, visibly moved, highlighted Punjab's historical contributions to the nation, from the freedom struggle to the Green Revolution. "Whenever India faced a crisis, Punjab stood tall. Now, Punjab needs the nation to stand with us," he told reporters.

Mann pointed out that the state incurred a ₹50,000-crore loss due to GST implementation and is awaiting ₹8,000 crore from the Centre’s rural development fund. "If they release the funds, we’ll manage," he asserted.

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The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, have wreaked havoc across 12 Punjab districts, including Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur. The swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers have claimed 29 lives and impacted over 2.56 lakh people. Despite the army deploying 20 helicopters for relief and rescue, many residents refuse to evacuate, clinging to their homes and livestock, often taking refuge on rooftops.

Mann reassured the public that the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams remain secure. He also revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted him to assess the crisis, with Modi promising full support after his return from China.

As Punjab grapples with this disaster, Mann’s fiery demand for funds underscores the urgency of the situation, urging the Centre to act swiftly to support the flood-ravaged state.

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