A Stark Disparity in Damage Assessment
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the urgent need for a more comprehensive flood relief package for Punjab. In his letter, Gandhi stated that the ₹1,600 crore initial aid announced by the Union government is a “grave injustice” to the state, which he claims has suffered losses amounting to at least ₹20,000 crore. Gandhi’s assessment follows his recent visit to the flood-affected areas, where he witnessed the “shocking devastation.” He noted that over four lakh acres of paddy crop have been destroyed, more than 10 lakh animals have perished, and countless homes have been lost, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
The Call for a ‘Bolder Response’
Gandhi’s letter emphasizes that the current crisis demands a “bolder response” from the central government. He has urged the Prime Minister to facilitate a quick and accurate assessment of the damage and to announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package that is commensurate with the scale of the destruction. The Congress leader’s stance is in line with the sentiments expressed by the state’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which had also criticized the central aid as a “cruel joke” and an “insult” to the people of Punjab. This collective push from both opposition parties and the state government highlights the widespread belief that the central government’s response has been insufficient to address the humanitarian and economic crisis in the state.
