Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon questions Punjab's flood preparedness

Chandigarh, July 15 (PTI) Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday, questioning the state's preparedness to tackle flood-like situations, particularly the alleged failure to clean drains and drainage channels. In the letter, Dhillon said recent reports of cracks developing in embankments along various rivers and breaches in canals and distributaries have heightened public concern. He alleged that cleaning the drainage channels and flood drains has still not been completed. He said drains in urban areas and drainage channels in villages remain choked with silt, plastic waste, and garbage. Dhillon warned that if cities or villages are inundated after the very first spell of heavy rain, the Punjab government would be directly responsible for the resulting damage. Citing information provided by the central government in Parliament, the BJP leader said during the 2025-26 financial year, the Centre released Rs 481.6 crore to Punjab under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Adding the Punjab government's contribution of Rs 160.8 crore, the total available amount reached Rs 642.4 crore -- designated specifically for flood relief, strengthening embankments, and disaster management. Dhillon asked the chief minister to explain where the Rs 642.4 crore had been spent, which embankments had been strengthened, which drains had been cleaned, and how many affected people had benefited from the funds. He said the central government fulfilled its responsibility by releasing the money on time, and it was now for the Punjab government to account for how these funds had been utilised. PTI CHS ASD ASD