Chandugarh: — Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has launched a scathing rebuttal against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of spreading falsehoods to malign the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the handling of disaster relief funds.
In a strongly worded statement, Cheema asserted that the BJP was “shamelessly peddling lies” regarding the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), alleging that the opposition was deliberately misleading the public to score political points amid Punjab’s ongoing flood crisis. “Unlike the BJP, which thrives on deceit and diversion, we believe in transparency and accountability,” Cheema said.
Cheema clarified that from April 1, 2022, to September 10, 2025, the Punjab government received ₹1,582 crore from the Centre under the SDRF. Of this, ₹649 crore has already been spent on relief and rehabilitation efforts across the state, while the remaining funds are earmarked for ongoing and upcoming operations to assist flood-affected communities.
Providing a year-wise breakdown, Cheema stated:
- ₹208 crore received in 2022–23, with ₹61 crore spent
- ₹645 crore received in 2023–24, with ₹420 crore spent
- ₹488 crore received in 2024–25, with ₹27 crore spent
- ₹241 crore received in 2025–26, with ₹140 crore spent
The controversy erupted after BJP leader Tarun Chugh questioned the whereabouts of ₹12,000 crore in disaster relief funds, a figure echoed by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who alleged fund diversion and demanded a judicial probe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced an additional ₹1,600 crore in aid for Punjab, further intensifying scrutiny over the state’s financial disclosures.
Cheema dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, challenging BJP leaders to explain why the Centre has withheld thousands of crores owed to Punjab under various heads. “Those who never stood for Punjab and its rights have no moral right to question us,” he said, calling the BJP’s campaign “irresponsible and shameful”.
The AAP government has maintained that all SDRF transactions are in the public domain and subject to audit, reiterating its commitment to transparent governance amid mounting political pressure.
